A Reform UK councillor on Merseyside has resigned after being exposed as a porn star.
Stephen Mousdell was one of three candidates from the party who swept the Haydock ward as part of 34 seats of 48 in the St Helens’ local elections.
But the 33-year-old stepped down from his position following revelations that he had starred in multiple online gay porn videos under the alias ‘Lachlan Taylor UK’.
Reform insisted that he had not broken any laws by appearing in them and that the electorate were ‘fully aware of Cllr Mousdell’s lifestyle choices weeks before’.
However Mousdell announced his resignation on Friday (May 15) citing ‘immense pressure’ by the media and ‘certain parties and individuals’ locally.
He said: “I wish to thank Reform UK and the St Helens Reform Party and leader in regard to the immense support over the last few days.
“But it is with sincere regret I am resigning as Reform councillor for Haydock ward.
“This is due to the immense pressures from the media, from individuals within the town hall, from certain parties and individuals who were not elected as councillor over a conflict of interest with regards to being a public figure in office and doing the adult profession.
“I was told to apologise to the public and stop doing what I was doing if I was in for a chance of staying being a councillor.
“But I refused because I have done no wrong doing and I’m not lying just to stay in office.
“I am, who I am. I’m proud of what I do, there is no shame of it and I am proud to be a gay individual in this community.
“Finally, I wish to thank everyone at Reform UK and Reform St Helens branch and hope for the very best future.
“I want to also say thank you for giving me this great opportunity and welcoming me into the Reform family but it is a shame that my profession doesn’t fit in with the standards to become councillor in the St Helens Town Hall.”