He came top in Kilburn four years ago with a winning 2,162 votes in the local election. But in the early hours of this morning it was announced John Duffy had lost his seat, coming last with just 412.

The former veteran Labour councillor was deselected from the party he loved after repeatedly voicing his fears about possible asbestos dust found in Paddington Cemetery.

Now the 63-year-old says he wishes his former colleagues the best, but he’s relieved to have been released.

He said: “I’m relieved. I feel younger already. Four years ago I came top, and now I’m at the bottom, I’m not worried in the slightest. I enjoyed being Kilburn’s councillor and I will enjoy not being. I’m proud of what I achieved and I’ve had a great career.”

But he added: “John Warren [former Conservative leader] going was a big surprise so there’s no opposition now. There will be in-fighting soon.

“It’s hard to know where the wider Labour party is going. We should be ahead of the Tories, they are falling apart, but we’re not.

“It’s good to go. I can’t change our party but I do wish them all well.”

• An early version of this story incorrectly referred to John Duffy as John Warren in one sentence. The Kilburn Times apologises to both candidates for the error and to readers for any confusion arising.