Suspended mayor resigns, accuses premier of political interference

Troy Thompson has resigned as mayor of Townsville amid a probe by the state crime and corruption watchdog, but vowed to recontest the coming byelection.

He hit out at Premier David Crisafulli in an online video on Friday morning, saying attempts to oust him amounted to government overreach and political interference.

Thompson allegedly lied about his military service record and elements of his resume in the lead-up to his 2024 victory, prompting an investigation.

Former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson previously apologised on A Current Affair.Credit: A Current Affair

He described his coming campaign for re-election as a bid to “protect the democratic rights” of Townsville residents.

The LNP government had suspended him with pay last year, and this month Minister for Local Government Ann Leahy issued a show-cause notice.

“This resignation is not an admission of wrongdoing, it is a principled stand to protect the democratic rights of the people,” Thompson said in the online video.

“Political interference has no place in our democracy; only the community should decide who leads this city.

“A vote for Troy Thompson is no longer just a vote for a person, it is a vote to protect our democracy.”

The hashtags #notocorruption #notopoliticalinterference #notodiscriminationandbias were attached to the post.

Thompson added his belief the resignation meant no further action could be taken against him and he was free to run at the byelection.

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