A HIGH-PROFILE councillor was quizzed by police after sending a tweet about the role Argentina played in the Falklands War.

As part of a Twitter conversation, Mike Lilley (Lab), Colchester councillor responsible for public safety, wrote: “You have to fly to ascension island as the dirty argies, have a air ban (sic). It’s about 6k for the flight as well.”

CATCH UP: 'Councillor in hot water over 'dirty Argies tweet'

A day later Mr Lilley was asked to attend Colchester police station under police caution after two complaints were lodged which stated the tweet was racist.

Halstead Gazette:

The councillor said he was initially told by police they believed the post was racist and a file would be submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.

But on Wednesday, Mr Lilley was told he faces no further action from police.

He said: “I was really disappointed with myself because anyone who knows me knows me I’m not a racist - not even close.

“I got a call the day after I sent it and was asked to go the police station under cau- tion so I went and they said: ‘Look, we do think this is racist, you’re going to have to court and it could be Crown Court because you’re a councillor.’”

Mr Lilley added: “It was only in the last few days I got an email from the police to say they were not going to pursue the case.

“It has weighed on me heavily. I really do believe it is a campaign against me personally from the Conservatives.”

Mr Lilley will still face a governance committee hearing, on Tuesday, which will decide whether he has broken the councillors' code of conduct. 

It is the result of an official complaint made by Conservative councillor Beverly Davies.

Mr Lilley posted two apologies the day after his inital tweet.

One stated: “Sorry if my remark gave offence I guess in the invasion of my mums (sic) homeland when my great aunt was killed I forgot my place.”

There was a further post, which stated: “Hi I apologise for my remark I made it was unacceptable so sorry if it gave offense (sic). My family suffered so its still close to my heart.”

Halstead Gazette:

In a response to Mrs Davies' complaint, Mr Lilley said: "I would like to start by offering my deepest apologies to anyone and everyone I may have offended by my comments on Twitter regarding a conversation about flying to the Falkland Islands.

"It was never my intention to offend anyone and I am sorry for the upset it has caused.

"I didn't think about what I wrote it just came out and for that I apologise."