UKIP councillor admits to posting racist images
A newly-elected UKIP councillor has apologised and indicated he will step down after admitting posting offensive and racist comments on Facebook.
UK Independence Party councillor Eric Kitson said he was '99 per cent sure' he would resign.
Police today confirmed the online posts were being looked at by detectives after leading councillors claimed they 'incited racial hatred'.
He secured a seat representing Stourport on Worcestershire County Council earlier this month.
Council leader Councillor Adrian Hardman has hit out at Councillor Kitson's comments, claiming they would spark 'criminal activity' and demanded he stepped down.
Councillor Kitson today admitted to the Express & Star that he had posted offensive remarks on Facebook.
Speaking from his home in Stourport, he said he was 'stupid' and insisted he put the posts online to see people's reactions.
The UK Independence Party, which is led by Nigel Farage, today said officials are investigating but reiterated that Councillor Kitson had not been suspended today.
The 59-year-old councillor, who is a paint sprayer by trade, said: "I can only say sorry, I wish I knew a way I could say sorry."
Councillor Kitson added that joining Facebook was one of the 'worst things' he has ever done and has since closed his account.
"I've been told by friends to be strong and not to step down, but I'm 99 per cent sure that I will step down because I can't live with myself, it's not that I can't do the job, I can't live with myself, I feel so awful, how can I say sorry to all those people," he said.
County council leader Councillor Hardman warned that the matter would be taken to the authority's standards and ethics committee if Mr Kitson did not resign his position.
"We will be putting it to West Mercia Police that this is inciting racial hatred and is criminal activity," he said.
"I think that it is impossible for him to continue as a county councillor. This will go to the standards committee."
UKIP party spokesman Gawain Towler added: "We have not completed our investigations. Eric Kitson has not been suspended from the party."
Councillor Kitson secured one of two seats in the Stourport ward up at the Worcestershire County Council elections on May 2.