THE former chairman of Bretforton parish council has been disqualified from holding office for 12 months because he failed to follow the new code of conduct.

John James, who has devoted more than 30 years of his life to being a councillor, said he was unlikely to return to the role after this week's decision.

At a meeting in Bransford on Monday the adjudication panel for England found that Mr James failed to complete the council's register of financial interests in line with the code of conduct.

Mr James, who was chairman of the council until May, said: "I always declared an interest in planning applications but I run a garage and have a large customer database. If any of them were successful in their planning applications, I would be deemed successful. The more you read the rules, the more complex it becomes and the more you can't believe that this is happening.

"I thought it was unfair but unfortunately if you sit before the tribunal, there is no argument. It was like being in front of judge, jury and hangman. I thought after 30 years' service I'd receive a long service medal, not a disqualification."

Mr James has now said that despite the support of councillors in Bretforton, he will never return to local politics.

"This does disillusion you. We are volunteers, we are unpaid, looking after our own back yard. We don't make decisions, we make recommendations. I think to punish us like this is a bit unfair. We have to declare more finances than an MP.

"Unless they change the procedure we have to go through, I won't be going back. If I didn't sign it the first time I'm not going to do it in the future."

Mr James said it was still early days but he was now considering an appeal against the decision in the High Court.