Anton Georgiou resigned his position as Liberal Democrat councillor for Alperton after representing constituents for four years.
A by-election has now been set for February 18.
The 29-year old said he quit “for a multitude of reasons” but is “genuinely sad” for being unable to continue in the role.
In December the Crown Prosecution Service contacted him to tell him Jack O’Donnell, the man imprisoned for stalking him in 2023, would be released.
He said he was told by police previously that he might have to give up his council seat to protect himself and his family if O’Donnell, aged 27 and of no fixed address at the time of sentencing, is released.
“News of the release was sent to me by the Ministry of Justice on December 16 so that was the final push I needed.”
While it was the trigger that resulted in Anton handing in his resignation, it was not the only reason.
He said: “I just felt like I was banging my head against a red brick wall and it’s so frustrating.”
One of his “big frustrations” about sitting on a council where there is a huge majority for the governing party – Labour in this case – is because his voice, as an opposition councillor, is rarely heard.
“I’ve tried my best to hold the administration’s feet to the fire on a number of issues, from housing to keeping the area clean, provision for young people,” he said.
Despite trying to be “constructively critical” as a councillor, Anton felt it became “quite personal” particularly between him and the Labour leader Cllr Muhammed Butt.
Anton has now been offered a job in housing working with homeless people.
“It’s not been easy decision. I tried a number of times to get elected, then I did get elected in 2020 and I retained the seat two years later even though the Labour party threw everything, including the kitchen sink at me,” he said.
“It’s very positive for me personally because I can keep doing what I’m passionate about and I’m not in the public eye so it protects me.
“But also it’s really sad because I’ve loved being a councillor for Alperton, it’s an honour of my life and I’m sad I wasn’t able to continue in the role.
“But it’s the best decision for me and I’m not closing the door to returning to politics at some point in the future but for now that chapter’s closed.”
