Bradford's longest-serving councillor has resigned from the Labour Party after being convicted of beating his wife.

Councillor Tim Mahon quit the Party as he was due to attend a national disciplinary hearing. He had been a member for more than 30 years.

A Labour Party spokesman said today the National Constitutions Committee would have considered a recommendation in January that he should be expelled.

Coun Mahon, of Scott Street, Odsal, who has represented the Tong Ward on Bradford Council for more than 25 years, could not be contacted for comment.

He is still serving on the Council although he rarely appears at City Hall.

He had been suspended from the Council's Labour Group since the court case in March while an investigation was carried out. He is listed as Independent Labour on Council documents, but has refused to comment so far on his plans for the future.

Bradford magistrates were told last March that Coun Mahon punched his wife, Mary, in a "frenzied" row and threatened to "rearrange" her face.

He pleaded guilty to assault and was given one year's probation.

The magistrates told him he had escaped prison because his wife had forgiven him.

The court was told the Mahon family has been plagued by anonymous telephone calls which untruthfully alleged impropriety by the councillor.

The Labour Group's Chief Whip, Councillor Ruth Redfearn, said today: "I think the whole thing has been unfortunate and caused distress to everybody concerned. It is obviously very sad when someone who has put in a lot of years has to end up this way."

Tong Ward Labour Party has selected teacher Michael Johnson to stand in the Council elections next year.

The Labour Party spokesman said: "We have received a written resignation today from Mr Mahon. This has occurred as we were summoning him to a formal hearing in January when a recommendation was being considered to expel him from the Labour Party. The conduct for which he was convicted is clearly unacceptable for a representative of the Labour Party."

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