Councillor resigns over claims he is Banksy

A TOWN councillor has resigned after claims that he is the mystery artist Banksy made his role “untenable”.

William Gannon, 58, was voted on to Pembroke Dock town council, south Wales, in the May elections, having worked as an artist for 40 years.

However, his success was dogged by rumours that he is Banksy, the graffiti artist whose works sell for millions of pounds. The claims, which Mr Gannon thinks were started maliciously by a rival candidate, emerged in January and intensified after his election.

“There’s no truth in it,” said Mr Gannon. He said the situation escalated when vandals “went wild” in nearby Pembroke by covering parks, benches and doors with graffiti, leading him to fear he may be held responsible. He said: “It was felt… Pembroke Dock did not need another controversial councillor. My position became untenable.”