Councillor is re-instated after racist comment

Labour councillor Fabian Breckels was suspended in October

A Labour councillor has been reinstated by the party after he was suspended in October over a racist comment.

Bristol City councillor Fabian Breckels apologised after commenting under a Facebook post which accused a man from an ethnic minority of stealing, showing a photo of him. Mr Breckels called the man an idiot and suggested he should be deported if he was not British.

A Bristol Labour spokesperson said the group had agreed to reinstate Mr Breckels following an investigation by both the council and the national Labour Party.

"However, he has been removed from his position as chair of the Licensing Committee and as Labour's nomination to the Board of Trustees of We the Curious," they said.

But Green councillor Lorraine Francis repeated her calls for Mr Breckels to stand down, saying: "Residents should expect better from their representatives."

In a statement at the start of October, Mr Breckels said: "I unreservedly apologise for my comment and deeply regret making it."

"I swiftly deleted the comment however I understand the hurt it may have caused," he added.

The Labour spokesperson acknowledged Mr Breckels' prompt deleting of the comment and apology.

'No further action'

"As a condition for his readmittance to the Bristol Labour Group, he has agreed to undertake equalities training," they added.

They said the council had concluded it would take no further action following its investigation.

But Ms Francis said Labour was "abandoning the progressive and inclusive values their party was based on".

She added: "As Labour refuse to offer any sanctions, I am calling for Councillor Breckels to hear his residents' shock and disgust and resign immediately."

The Labour Party and Mr Breckels have not commented further.