MYSTERY surrounds the sudden resignation of Brian Hawden from the Shadow Board overseeing the possible transfer of Fenland s 4,000 council homes to a housing association. Until a week ago Mr Hawden, 70, a former Chatteris and March solicitor, was shown a

MYSTERY surrounds the sudden resignation of Brian Hawden from the Shadow Board overseeing the possible transfer of Fenland's 4,000 council homes to a housing association.

Until a week ago Mr Hawden, 70, a former Chatteris and March solicitor, was shown as being one of a handful of independent members of the Roddons Housing Association Shadow Board, which includes Fenland councillors and tenant representatives.

However Mr Hawden, suspended by the Law Society in June 2004 for accounting issues, has now quit the housing board.

A spokesman for the shadow housing board said that "due to current business commitments, Brian has stepped down. The board wish Brian every success with his future interests and have indicated that Brian would be welcome back as a board member should he have more time in the future."

A spokesman for the Law Society said although Mr Hawden was no longer suspended, he needed a Practising Certificate to be able to call himself a solicitor.

Mr Hawden was unavailable for comment.