<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A newly-elected mayor in Melbourne's west has stepped back from the role as scrutiny intensifies over a character reference he provided for a man later convicted of child sex offences.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wyndham mayor Preet Singh this morning publicly apologised and confirmed he would temporarily stand aside from his role, less than two weeks after taking office.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The decision comes after it was revealed Singh wrote a reference in 2024 for Kashyap Patel, who was at the time facing charges relating to the grooming and sexual abuse of a teenage girl.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/calls-for-gas-tax-grow-as-australia-faces-second-energy-crisis/0eb2d572-84b3-42b7-a55b-e2b8faf6a79c"><strong><span>Australia could be $68b richer. Now we're in our own energy crisis</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The letter was written before Singh entered council, but its contents only surfaced publicly this week, prompting mounting calls for his resignation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aynWYmRwz/" rel="" target="" title="shared to social media"><span>shared to social media</span></a><span>, Singh acknowledged the backlash and apologised for his actions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The character reference I provided was given prior to my election, I recognise that, regardless of timing, this has raised legitimate questions about judgment. For that, I am deeply sorry.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/wyndham-mayor-preet-singh-temporarily-stands-down-after-providing-child-sex-offender-character-reference/ffe4254a-3c35-4c4d-a5cb-57998dc21ae6" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I sincerely apologise for any hurt or harm caused, particularly to the victim and those in our community impacted by this issue."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/easter-public-holiday-2026-dates-australia-explainer/a0cd0bb9-0bff-41a3-a412-6c13f9c2de94" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>The Easter long weekend is almost here - but not all Aussies get the same public holidays</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Residents have organised a protest outside Wyndham's council offices in Werribee this evening, as anger continues to build within the community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I respect the right of community members to express their views, including through peaceful protest," Singh said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am reaching out to offer to meet with those leading the demonstration, to listen and convey my sincere sympathies directly."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Councillor Jasmine Hill has stepped in as acting mayor while the situation unfolds. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Singh has not indicated how long he intends to remain on leave from the mayoralty.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>