Race storm councillor waits for hearing date

A MEETING hearing the results of an investigation into a district councillor’s racist remarks has been deferred to a later date.

Cllr Bob Frost was reported to the district council standards committee after calling some racial minorities “jungle bunnies” on a social networking site in early August.

Last week the Mercury published a story saying the meeting had been held on Wednesday, but it was deferred after the Mercury had gone to press on Wednesday morning.

The article also stated the meeting was held “behind closed doors” which was incorrect.

A press statement from the district council said: “Standards Committee meetings, hearing the results of investigations, are held in public.

“There are certain, very specific, circumstances where such meetings are held in private - however DDC has, to date, not held such a meeting in private.” Cllr Frost, who represents North Deal ward, was suspended from the Conservative group after the comments became public in the summer.

He had been attacking those taking part in the London riots on Facebook, but he deleted the derogatory comments and apologised once complaints were made.

He also left his part-time job as a maths teacher at Sir Roger Manwood’s School in Sandwich by mutual agreement.

Despite calls for him to be expelled from the Conservative party, his suspension was extended, a decision condemned by Labour Party members on the district council and public services union UNISON.

District council spokesman Andy Steele said a date for the resumed hearing has not yet been set.

Cllr Frost has not commented on the matter.