In an unexpected twist of events, a councillor from Western Australia has stepped down following a controversial incident involving an accidental visit to a strip club during a work trip. Nige Jones, who represented the City of Joondalup, found himself at the center of a media storm after claiming expenses linked to a visit to the Crazy Horse Revue in Adelaide last August.

The councillor had attended a conference in the city and later submitted an expense report that included the cost of a beer consumed at the well-known adult venue. The establishment, easily identifiable by its bright neon sign and logo featuring a woman, was not where Jones intended to end his night, according to his explanation. He insisted that his entry into the club was a “genuine mistake,” as he sought a late-night drink ahead of an early morning flight.

The incident drew significant public and political attention, including criticism from Western Australian Premier Roger Cook. As the scrutiny intensified, Jones made the decision to resign from his position on the Joondalup Council.

In a social media announcement, Jones expressed his rationale for stepping down, stating, “It’s time for me to stand down as I’m not a fit with the new council coupled with my mistake grabbing a beer in an unsavoury venue.”

Jones posted on social media announcing his decision: “It’s time for me to stand down as I’m not a fit with the new council coupled with my mistake grabbing a beer in a unsavoury venue.

“I’m sorry if I let you down but hope I served you well the other 10 years.”

Earlier today, Cook said the incident was “completely unacceptable” and called on Jones to resign.

“The idea that you can use ratepayer funds to buy entertainment such as strippers and booze is completely unacceptable,” he said.

“That’s not even meeting the pub test, that’s going beyond that, that is fundamentally letting down the ratepayers of Joondalup in this situation, and that councillor should reconsider his position as a councillor on that local government authority.”

Police Minister Reece Whitby has today dismissed his explanation, saying there were obvious signs the business was a strip club.

“I’ve seen the bright neon light of the dancing girl, that would tend to give it away. The poles would give it away, and the bikini lady would absolutely give it away,” he told reporters.

“He’s got his own ratepayers to answer to. I don’t think he should have been in there in the first place, and to charge it to the ratepayers is extraordinary.

“My advice is when you’re on official business, and your business is done, go to the hotel, go to sleep and stay there.”

Jones claimed he left the establishment after 20 minutes when he noticed a “skimpily dressed” woman, and he realised he was at a strip club.

“It’s definitely not where a councillor should be,” Jones told Perth’s 6PR radio yesterday.

“I accept that, and I apologise to the ratepayers for that, but like I said, I didn’t actually receive the reimbursement – the council picked up on it straight away.”

Jones was censured by the council this month after the discovery and ordered to undertake an “education course on ethical decision making” and provide a “written reflection on his actions”.

The reflection was sent in on November 19, and Jones said he booked himself in for the course at the earliest date in March.