CHRIS Franklin has resigned as Mayor of Tidworth Town Council, but rubbished rumours of theft from his employers as the reason.

Mr Franklin has strongly dismissed claims on social media that he was fired from his business manager role at Knights Tailoring for theft, which then led to him handing in his notice, as “totally unfounded”.

The former councillor resigned as mayor and chairman of Tidworth Town Council last Friday and a statement released by the council cites the cause as “personal reasons”.

Defending himself against the allegations, Mr Franklin said: “I was going to go in May anyway but I was made redundant at the end of October. I now work out of Tidworth, it involves shifts and that doesn’t fit with town council work.”

Managing director of Knights Tailoring, Jon Knight, confirmed that he made Mr Franklin’s position as business manager redundant and his last working day was October 31.

Mr Knight added: “This was done purely on a commercial basis and not on any other matters at all.”

The former soldier has served on Tidworth Town Council for nearly 20 years before becoming chairman in 2010 and mayor in 2011.

He was awarded an MBE for bringing the military and civilian community together as the first serving soldier on the council.

During his time as mayor the council has submitted plans to build a state-of-the-art civic centre, secured £100,000 development funding to build a war memorial and negotiated land for Tidworth Town Football Club.

On leaving the council, he said: “Tidworth has come a long way in the last 15 years, because of the council as a whole, we have been astute and given taxpayers value for money. I wish the new deputy leader the best of luck.”

The town council released a statement on their website and social media last week confirming that Cllr Mark Connolly, who has been deputy mayor, will now take on the role of mayor and chairman until the elections in May next year and a new deputy will be elected.

Cllr Connolly said: “I am honoured to be only the second mayor of Tidworth. I will do my utmost to be a mayor the town can be proud of.”