LONDON, Ont. - A motion asking the mayor of London, Ont., to temporarily step aside while criminal charges against him are dealt with will be tabled at tonight's council meeting.

The motion passed 3-1 at a finance committee meeting on Nov. 26.

RCMP charged Joe Fontana in November with fraud under $5,000, breach of trust by a public official and uttering forged documents.

The charges are in connection with allegations he inappropriately used federal government funds while a member of Parliament to help pay for his son's wedding reception.

Fontana, a former federal cabinet minister, has denied any wrongdoing and he is to appear in court on Jan. 8.

He declared a conflict of interest at the finance committee meeting and did not vote on the motion. Under the Municipal Act, Fontana cannot be forced to resign.