Labour's parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon has resigned from his role as local councillor for St Helier ward.

It comes the Solicitors Regulation Authority closed down Imran Uddin's Morden law practice last month due to an investigation, stating "there is reason to suspect dishonesty".

The news came just two days before the General Election, in which Mr Uddin increased the party's share of the vote to nearly 36 per cent, an increase of almost 10 per cent on the last election.

Mr Uddin said that he was stepping down to devote time to his appeal against the decision.

The authority's inquiry also prevents Mr Uddin and his partner from practising as solicitors.

Mr Uddin said: "I will always remember my time on the council with fondness. It has truly been an honour to have been the councillor for St Helier Ward. I now need to devote my time to my appeal and have therefore stepped down as a councillor."

RELATED: Wimbledon Labour general election candidate's law firm closed due to suspicion of dishonesty

An email sent by Andrew Robertson, head of electoral services at Merton Council, confirmed the councillor's resignation but does not state a reason.

Chairman of Wimbledon Labour Party Tom Bolger said he was not yet aware of the reasons for Mr Uddin's resignation.

Stephen Alambritis, leader of Merton Council, said: “Residents in St Helier need a councillor who has the time and energy to devote to fighting the government's cuts to local services like schools and hospitals.

"With an appeal outstanding and natural justice needing to be done, Imran would struggle to do carry out his representative role to the full, so I am pleased that he has agreed with me to stand down as a councillor.

"With the government in turmoil we need local representatives who can focus, without distractions, on the task of fighting Theresa May's austerity programme."

A by-election will now take place to elect a new councillor for the ward in south Merton.

The notice of election will be published tomorrow, June 15. Nominations will be open from Friday 16 June until 4pm on Friday June 23.