Warwick District Council's deputy leader responds to calls for her resignation over tweet described as 'racist' by Labour Group by asking for second review of action to be taken against her

In her statment at a meeting of the full council earlier today Cllr Grainger (Conservative, Warwick All Saints & Woodloes) said: "I am aware that a tweet posted on my twitter account in April last year has caused concern.

"When I was made aware of this fact in the summer the matter was referred to the Monitoring Officer and the Independent person.

"This tweet was not posted by me but by my husband and therefore on balance the Monitoring Officer felt as I was not responsible, therefore no further action was required.

"However, as it appears that I have breached the council's code of conduct on Social Media and I have once again asked the monitoring officer to review what action should be taken."

Earlier in the day and before the meeting the Labour Group had put out a press release calling for Cllr Grainger to resign over the tweet.And, on his Facebook page, Warwick and Leamington Labour MP Matt Western also said: "I have just heard about this and I am both concerned and disappointed, especially as the person involved is a senior councillor.

"I'm sure many residents of Warwick and Leamington will be too.

"We are a richly diverse community and this will be seen as frankly inexcusable.

"I am proud that Warwick and Leamington is a strong, multicultural community and a tolerant society.

"Above all others, our elected representatives should not be using lazy stereotypes or making jokes at the expense of different cultures, religions or nations.

"That is quite simply racism.

"The person in question may well be aware of Lord Nolan's seven principles of public life. Councillors - like MPs - must adhere to these. While such behaviour falls well below all of these standards, it is the fourth standard which I am most interested in:

"Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.'

"The public will expect Councillor Grainger to consider her position.

"And inevitably, Councillor Andrew Day, as leader of Warwick District Council, must decide whether such behaviour is acceptable in the Conservative Party group.

"He is ultimately responsible for the standards of the council.

"The public will be watching."