A councillor who helps run an anti-crime charity in Streatham is being urged to quit after failing to disclose a conviction for shooting and wounding a man in America.

Stephen Govier, a Labour Councillor in Southwark, is the business crime co-ordinator at Lambeth Businesses Against Crime, which works in partnership with Lambeth Council.

In December, he had the Labour whip removed after it emerged that in the late 1990s, while he lived in California, he was jailed for shooting and seriously wounding a man.

Coun Govier claimed the man was an intruder in his home.

He was called to resign by the Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders in Southwark.

Coun Govier, who is now sitting as an independent, told the BBC: "In the 1990s I was living in California. I shot and wounded an intruder in my house.

"I was convicted of offences involving the use of a firearm and given a prison sentence."

He added: "This issue turns on the application form to be answered by those seeking selection for the Labour Party.

"It included the question whether there was anything in my past which was prejudicial to the Labour Party.

"The question was purely subjective and I answered in the negative."

He added: "Over the past eight years I have become heavily involved in voluntary work in my local community, and have pursued a career in crime prevention.

"It is my desire to continue to work conscientiously and in the interest of my constituents to create a fairer future for all in Southwark."

Lambeth Business Against Crime is a partnership between the business community and statutory agencies and operates within protocols agreed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Office of the Information Commissioner.

The charity’s website states its objectives include reducing crime and fear of crime, and reducing violence.

People applying for selection as a candidate are required by the Labour Party to declare previous convictions.