Żebbuġ mayor Brian Bonnici has resigned amid claims of abuse of power but he believes he was "framed" and that a private investigator followed him for the past six weeks and even tapped his phone to find "dirt".
He is denying claims brought against him, including that he used workers paid by the council to carry out work on the roof of his home.
"Although the stories came from the Nationalist Party's media, I know there are even people within my party who are behind this," he claimed, adding that, although the issue was not with his party's leadership, he expected more support.
The 35-year-old Labourite, who served as mayor for the past five years, has decided to step down because he is not a "political animal" and does not want to put more undue pressure on his family.
"I know that even if I have an argument with my wife they will use it against me," he said.
"I am not attached to my position, so I decided to step down the first time I was backstabbed because, quite frankly, I do not want to keep being backstabbed. I will keep on making my contribution to my locality and to my party in other ways."
He took credit for how he managed to clear the debt the council was bowed under within three years from taking office.
"I've also implemented a programme of works and we are now resurfacing 17 new roads. I think one of the intentions behind all these allegations was to make sure I cannot see this project through."
He added that he would now continue working within the arts and theatre spheres.
"I've been under a lot of pressure and last week I was taking part in a musical at the Catholic Institute. Some people even said I had disappeared from Żebbuġ when it was just a question of rehearsals."
Asked whether the private investigator may have uncovered something that could be used against him, he said: "I don't exclude anything".
"I tried to work genuinely and do everything properly. But I've realised politics is very dirty."
His resignation was announced on Sunday by Labour deputy leader Toni Abela.
Party sources said he resigned to fight his case as a private citizen without harming the reputation of his party.