It all started with an expense claim for £550 in millage allowance, but the police found that he only had a provisional driving licence which was out of date and had been driving around with no insurance either.

There are calls for the councillor to resign his place on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for the Fernhurst ward. Coun Johnson said: “I am absolutely sure when I appeal it will get absolutely hammered out of court.

“I have no choice, because at the end of the day this is questioning my integrity.

“I want to know where my UK driving licence has gone, and I want it back, but all I have been told is they are investigating”.

The DVLA mix up starts around 1997 when he was banned from driving, he claims that he passed his test in 1982, but has not seen his licence since handing it in to the DVLA.

Coun Kate Hollern, the leader of the council’s opposition Labour group, said: “The expenses should be investigated. It’s in the public interest for people to know.

“It’s all very well saying you have passed your test, but you need to have your paperwork.

“Driving without insurance is a disgrace and sets a bad example, What would happen if he had an accident?

“We run all these campaigns about safe driving and then this happens.”

Whatever the mix up with the DVLA this does not explain how he ended up with a out of date provisional driving licence.

Tory council leader Mike Lee said: “I am not at all impressed.

“It’s a matter for his conscience but maybe he ought to consider his position.”

Liberal Democrat Roy Davies said: “This is absolutely terrible. If he’s bringing the council into disrepute it’s got to go before the standards board. Whether he resigns depends on his conscience.”

For Darwen leader Tony Melia added: “This has come as a complete surprise. I am very disappointed. Councillors have a responsibility to comply with the law”.

Source [Lancashire Telegraph]