A COUNCILLOR has quit over false allegations that he is Banksy.
William Gannon said the accusations have undermined his ability to carry out his work.
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He told The Sun that the comparisons with Banksy began surfacing in June but he insisted: “I’m not Banksy. Let me make that absolutely clear.”
The former Pembroke Dock councillor said comparisons were made because he is a community street artist and worked in similar places and similar times to where Banksy was putting his art.
He said: “But that doesn’t make me Banksy. There was thousands of us there.”
Other people said his date of birth was fake and alleged his real name was Robin Gunningham, who has previously been rumoured to be the secret street artist.
An email to Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembroke Dock Town Council urged officials: “Ask him to prove who he is. He will not be able to.”
Mr Gannon will return street art work after quitting local politics and is handing out badges in his town which say: “I am NOT Banksy.”
William shared a statement on Facebook today saying: “As you may be aware an allegation has been repeatedly made that I am not who I say I am but that I am the artist Banksy.
“This allegation is undermining my ability to do the work of councillor and council rep properly.
“I do not want this allegation to undermine the reputation of Pembroke Dock Town Council.
“Therefore, I have decided to step down as both town councillor and council rep to the port with immediate effect.
“Thank you for all of the support that you have given me in the past.”
He told The Sun that the town, which he described as being “at the end of the road to nowhere”, as a lovely place but slammed a “vocal minority who want to cause as much trouble as they can”.
And he blamed political opponents for spreading the rumours and “ridiculous claims”.
He said local newspapers as well as council and election officials have all reported receiving letters accusing him of not being who he says he is.
He added that he has been wanting to bring positive action to the town, which has been undermined by the claims.
One such project included setting up a sculpture, but he said: “If I put up a sculpture and people thought I was Banksy, it would get vandalised.
“That project is dead.”
Source: The Sun
