A COUNCILLOR who continued to claim his council allowance despite moving to Thailand yesterday quit his post.

West Oxfordshire District Council’s Steve Hayward resigned live on air while being interviewed by BBC Radio Oxford.

On Wednesday, the Oxford Mail revealed he is still getting a £4,350 a year allowance despite moving to Thailand.

The Conservative said he could still represent his Ducklington ward despite living 8,500 miles away.

But after being asked to resign by the presenter and a listener who called in, Mr Hayward said: “I shall contact the officer straight away.

“I will forward it as soon as possible, but if I resign the people of Ducklington will not have a councillor.”

The former Mayor of Witney is involved in running two bars in Thailand.

He said he could still correspond with constituents by email and Skype and was prepared to come back to West Oxfordshire if needed at a meeting.

Since moving to Thailand Mr Hayward has attended one meeting – a cabinet meeting in November.

A council spokesman last night said the authority had received no official notification of his resignation from Mr Hayward.