A walkabout Golders Green councillor has finally stepped down from office, after claiming six months in allowances, from Australia.

Christopher Harris, 35, was kicked out of the Conservative Party last October for claiming £800-a-month, attending no meetings and being on the other side of the world. The amount he claimed is totalled at £5,000.

A friend of Harris claimed last year that he had emigrated, had a job in Australia, and did not intend on returning to the UK

Taxpayers and fellow councillors were furious that he continued to claim the money as an independent - until today.

Resigned on day of expulsion

Mr Harris took the process forcing removal right up the day when Barnet Council were to strip him of his seat. After he was contacted by local press he announced his resignation with immediate effect.

Constituents not only lost their elected representative, extra workload was piled on fellow ward councillors Melvin Cohen and Dean Cohen leaving ratepayers even more short-changed.

A successor for Mr Harris will not be elected until local elections later this year.

Speaking to the Barnet & Whetstone Press he said:

"I have resigned my position as councillor.

I am only sad I did not get better youth provision in Cricklewood, such as a youth club, during my tenure, that the Hendon FC site may still be developed and that the Brent Cross and Cricklewood development will use so much precious open space and entail new waste provision that is not suited to the area.

These are the issues you should pursue and how poorly the community in Cricklewood is being served by the London Borough of Barnet right now."