Former Oshawa city councillor Robert Lutczyk, right, is seen in 2009 during a push to bring band KISS to the city. (Toronto Sun files)

TORONTO — A former Oshawa, Ont., councillor accused of kidnapping a high-ranking municipal official will remain in custody until at least Nov. 8.

Robert Lutczyk was remanded in custody after a brief court appearance Wednesday in which the former politician's lawyer, Sevag Yeghoyan, indicated he may seek a psychiatric assessment for his client.

Lutczyk is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 8. The issue of whether Lutczyk should receive bail has not yet been determined.

Lutczyk, known during his time as a councillor for his combative style and unconventional ideas, is accused of kidnapping Oshawa city solicitor David Potts at gunpoint from his home early last week.

While Potts escaped unharmed, the alleged kidnapping was followed by a tense, 28-hour standoff between Lutczyk and police.

It was during the standoff that former Oshawa mayor John Gray told QMI Agency that Lutczyk took his defeat in the 2010 municipal election exceptionally hard.

Gray, who was also voted out of office that fall, said he was at Oshawa's city hall the day Lutczyk was cleaning out his desk.

Jack Snedden, a friend of Lutczyk's for a decade, said politics is in Lutczyk's blood.

"Nobody likes being defeated or rejected," said Snedden outside court Wednesday. "I think (politics) is always in your blood."