NO BY-election has yet been called after a councillor who sent a racist tweet during Eurovision stepped down.
Nick Harrington, who held the Cubbington and Stoneleigh seat on Warwick District Council, resigned from his position as a councillor after backlash to a tweet he sent during the Eurovision Song Contest.
He has also stepped down from his role as a magistrate.
The tweet he sent out – before deleting his account after causing uproar on the social media site – said: “Thanks Ireland. You can keep your ******* gypsies! Hard border coming folks!”
It is believed to have been sent after Irish judges failed to give any points to the UK for their entry Lucie Jones.
Mr Harrington – who is director of Leamington business Ambay Software – has apologised for the tweet.
He said: “While watching the Eurovision Song Contest, I thoughtlessly sent a tweet which caused considerable offence to both members of the traveller community and to those of Irish heritage. I apologise unreservedly. My comments about the Irish border were also foolish.
“Therefore it is with deep regret that I formally tender my resignation as member for Stoneleigh & Cubbington Ward effective immediately.
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve as a Councillor supporting the residents of Stoneleigh & Cubbington and I wish the next elected member every success working with the dedicated and hard working clerks and parish councillors in the ward.”
But so far no by-election has been called.
The election would be called if two voters from the ward request one. If no requests are made then the position would remain vacant until the next election in 2019.
