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Mayor Steps Aside over Sex Offender Reference
Preet Singh wrote a character reference for a jailed child sex offender during trial, prompting calls for resignation and political fallout for others involved, including a forced Liberal candidate.
- Wyndham Mayor Preet Singh temporarily stepped aside from his role following public criticism over a character reference he provided for a convicted child sex offender in 2024.
- In April 2024, Singh provided a character reference for friend Kashyap Patel while Patel faced charges for grooming and sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. The County Court judge noted Singh described Patel as a man of "good character."
- Fellow councillors and community members demanded Singh's resignation, as Williams Landing ward Councillor Larry Zhao stated his constituents are "deeply disturbed" and Singh admitted some colleagues privately urged him to step down.
- Deputy Mayor Jasmine Hill assumed the role of acting mayor, and residents organized a protest outside Wyndham City Council offices in Werribee this evening as the local community voiced opposition.
- The controversy mirrors the departure of state Liberal candidate Dinesh Gourisetty, who stepped down Monday after providing a similar reference, while Wyndham City Council has cycled through three mayors in just over a month.
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13 Articles
Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Wyndham mayor steps aside after furore over reference for child sex offender
A Melbourne mayor is facing pressure to resign after it emerged that he joined a failed Liberal political aspirant in giving a character reference to a friend on sex abuse charges.
·Sydney, Australia
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Wyndham mayor Preet Singh steps aside amid growing pressure - The Indian Sun
Wyndham mayor Preet Singh has temporarily stepped aside from his mayoral duties, a move confirmed both in a public statement and by Wyndham City Council, as pressure grows over a character reference he provided for a man later convicted of child sexual abuse. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Singh said he had asked the Deputy Mayor to act in the role while the matter is considered, stressing the need to keep the focus on the community…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left3Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Right
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Right
45% Right
L 33%
C 22%
R 45%
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