FOLLOWING an incident at a UKIP public meeting in Tutshill, and subsequent postings on Facebook, there have been calls for the resignation of Gloucestershire County Councillor Richard Leppington.

The incident centred on a group of people who were invited to attend the UKIP meeting held in Tidenham War Memorial Hall on November 28. The four women had been invited by flyers delivered through their doors, but say that their reception at the meeting was less than cordial.

One, who did not wish to be named, told the Review: "We went along as we are all concerned about UKIP's policies and were curious to hear the party's stance on immigration and other issues."

The group intended to ask questions of the UKIP representatives who attended, and had taken with them information about anti-racist organisation Hope Not Hate.

But then Cllr Leppington approached them. Our informant told The Review: "Richard Leppington was belligerent before the meeting started, even though we were standing away from the entrance quietly talking to attendees who approached us. He took offence at a small paper banner we had prepared that said 'Calm Down Dear, It's Only Immigration' and told us that immigrants were taking jobs away from British working men."

But the day after the meeting, Cllr Leppington posted on Facebook: "Very successful UKIP meeting in Tidenham last night. About 50 people in attendance, good speeches from Tim and Tony. Shame about the four hags who tried to picket the meeting. Well if they don't like us standing up for our own people then b.....s."

This has outraged the women who made a formal complaint to Gloucestershire County Council, which resulted in a long exchange of e-mails with Jane Burns, the county's monitoring officer, who is responsible for policing the councillors and regulating their conduct.

However, whilst the Review has been sent copies of the exchange between the complainant and Jen Burns, the county's communication office refused to let any part of the correspondence be published, citing the fact that the case was still ongoing.

The group said when he was asked for an apology Cllr Leppington replied: "I apologise for any offence caused. That was not my intention. I hope the matter is now closed."

This, however, has not appeased the complainants, who replied: "This is a blatant slur. How can you call someone a hag without intending offence."

The group were also unhappy that it took Cllr Leppington 'several days' before his original Facebook posting was removed.

The Review asked for a statement from Gloucestershire County Council, who initially denied that any formal complaint had ever been received over the matter. Later, they did confirm that a complaint had been made against Cllr Leppington. Jane Burns, monitoring officer at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "I can confirm that we've received a complaint and that we're currently investigating it through the appropriate channels. I'm unable to comment further at this time."

When approached by The Review, Cllr Leppington said: "This matter is now under discussion with the monitoring officer at Shire Hall, and under the circumstances that means that I am not at liberty to comment."