A COUNCILLOR at the centre of a racism twitter storm has stepped down from his position as a magistrate.
Nick Harrington, who holds the Cubbington and Stoneleigh seat on Warwick District Council, tweeted live during the Eurovision Song Contest which was held on Saturday (May 13).
The tweet he sent out – before deleting his account due to backlash on the social media site – said: “Thanks Ireland. You can keep your ******* gypsies! Hard border coming folks!”
It is believed to have been sent after Irish judges failed to give any points to the UK for their entry Lucie Jones.
And following the tweet Mr Harrington – who is also a director of local company Ambay Software – has resigned from his voluntary position as a magistrate.
A spokesman for the judiciary said: “Mr Harrington resigned this morning with immediate effect and will no longer sit as a magistrate.”
The councillor has also been suspended indefinitely from Warwick District Council’s Conservative group pending an investigation.
A spokeswoman from Warwick District Council said: “Coun Nick Harrington has been suspended by Coun Andrew Mobbs, Leader of Warwick District Council, pending a full investigation.
“We apologise unreservedly for the offence and upset that his comments have caused.”
Police have also confirmed they are investigating after receiving a number of complaints.
