Embattled London mayor resigns after KY appeals court reinstates his removal from office
Embattled London Mayor Randall Weddle is resigning from office after an appeals court reaffirmed the city council’s 2025 decision to remove him from his post.
Weddle said in a Friday morning Facebook post addressing the London City Council and residents that his resignation would be effective Sunday, July 12.
“Our judicial system has now spoken, and while this is not the outcome I had hoped for, I respect the rule of law, the judge, and the decision of the court. With that chapter now behind us, it is time to look ahead,” Weddle said. “My optimism for London’s future has never been stronger. Our city is filled with hardworking people, thriving businesses, dedicated public servants, and extraordinary potential. I have every confidence that London’s brightest days remain ahead.”
The Kentucky Court of Appeals issued an opinion Friday morning that overturned a Laurel County Circuit Court decision that reinstalled Weddle as mayor in September 2025 after the city council held an hours-long public hearing before voting to remove him from office.
Appellate Judges Jacqueline Caldwell, Audra Jean Eckerle and Jeff S. Taylor reviewed the matter. Much of the opinion centers on questions about whether or not Weddle had signed a $5 million mortgage without council approval. Weddle had argued that “he was fully transparent about the loan transaction,” but the judges said “whether full disclosure was provided or not, the city council did not vote to approve the mortgage/loan transaction,” the opinion said.
“We reject Weddle’s assertion that there was simply a disagreement about whether the city council’s approval was necessary — an insufficient basis for removal in his estimation,” the judges said. “Kentucky law clearly required the city council’s approval before Weddle executed the mortgage and loan agreement.”
The London City Council had scheduled a special meeting for Friday afternoon to discuss action requesting Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman to investigate Weddle on a “usurper action” under state law, as a Laurel County judge ruled last month that Weddle was an ineligible candidate in London’s upcoming mayoral election because he does not reside within city limits.
Weddle was the top vote-getter in the May primary election with 11 votes over second place winner, Matt Orr.
In addition to his clashes with the city council, Weddle has made headlines for other reasons in recent months. In April, Weddle pleaded not guilty to charges that he had illegally made excess campaign contributions to political committees supporting Gov. Andy Beshear’s reelection in 2023.