The leader of Harrow Borough Council’s Conservative group has called for a councillor who pleaded guilty to fraud to stand down.

Councillor Susan Hall has said that she believes Cllr David Gawn, representative for Harrow-on-the-Hill, should stand down after admitting the offence at Harrow Crown Court on Monday.

Cllr Hall said: “We have to wait until December for the sentencing decision, which may or may not determine whether Cllr Gawn can legally continue on the council or not, but I think it would be appropriate if he were to stand down voluntarily before then.

“Councillors are community leaders and representatives, and this carries with it a degree of trust and responsibility – residents rightly deserve better from us.

“Cllr Gawn has betrayed this trust through his actions which, in my view, make it extremely difficult for him to continue as a councillor.

“It is very much a matter for Cllr Gawn, but given the seriousness of the offence he has admitted to I think he should be expected to step down.”

The charge related to an incident last summer when Gawn posted a £7,000 cheque in the name of Dennis O’Brien to a bank employee.

It is said that he “dishonestly and intentionally made a representation which was untrue or misleading.”

Gawn has now been bailed to return to the court on December 20 for sentencing.

He has been suspended from Harrow Borough Council’s Labour group until court proceedings are over.