Jason Noble
Suffolk Local Democracy Reporter

A by-election to replace a councillor who resigned amid allegations of sharing racist posts on social media cannot take place until May next year.

Conservative Frank Warby resigned from West Suffolk Council on Monday, after his party started an investigation into posts the 79-year-old shared on his Facebook account.

Image source, West Suffolk Council

The posts shared were asking questions as to why no riots took place in the UK following the death of fusilier Lee Rigby, who was killed near the Royal Artillery Baracks in Woolwich, London, in 2013.

Mr Warby also shared posts about the removal of statues with links to slavery and Britain’s colonial history.

It means that a by-election will now need to be held for his Moreton Hall seat in Bury St Edmunds, but current social distancing restrictions means the election has been postponed until May 2021, although that could be moved forward if the government deems it safe.

Mr Warby said he was deleting his Facebook account and that he has "had enough" of people "picking on him".

He added: "I’m not a racist. I have never been a racist. I am not a racist person. I did not post these images, I shared someone else’s posts."

The Guildhall in Woodbridge has become a focal point for a Black Lives Matter campaign.

Young people from the town have put up anti-racism signs outside the building.

Organiser Harry Raithatha said: "The global outcry shows it's time for change now."

He said there was "a lot of racism" in the area that just went unnoticed because it was "considered the norm".

The Dunwich Dynamo has been running for 28 years but is not officially organised.

Lifeguards will return to Lowestoft South beach this weekend following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The RNLI has already resumed patrols at nearby Gorleston.

New measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic mean the lifeguards will wear personal protective equipment like ambulance crews in some situations.

Image source, RNLI

New protocols for all first responders mean the lifeguards may not deal with some minor first aid cases, but will support people to treat themselves.

The charity is also continuing to urge to everyone to follow beach safety advice:

• Have a plan - check the weather forecast, tide times and read local hazard signage
• Keep a close eye on your family – on the beach and in the water
• Do not allow your family to swim alone
• Do not use inflatables
• If you fall into the water unexpectedly, fight your instinct to thrash around and instead lean back, extend your arms and legs, and float
• In an emergency dial 999, and ask for the coastguard

• The Ipswich Star reports, external a new route into policing is to be rolled out across seven forces, including Suffolk, as part of a major training overhaul
• Bury Free Press writes, external that an online petition to save oak trees in Thurston has reached 5,500 signatures

The health secretary says the footballer made a compelling case for the free school meal vouchers scheme.

A sports team is keeping fit, and brushing up on their skills, by raising money for the local hospice while maintaining social distancing.

Ipswich Ladies Netball Club, external players are trying to make a million passes by 17 July, in aid of the town's St Elizabeth Hospice, external.

The club's committee said the hospice's income had been hit by the pandemic "so we wanted to see if Ipswich Ladies Netball Club could play a small part in helping one of our local charities".

Two leading doctors said regular testing is needed to give patients confidence as the NHS reopens.

Sam Norris, 16, sustained a serious brain injury a year ago and spent months in rehabilitation.

Colleagues of Lt Kenneth Allen are "deeply saddened" after his jet crashed off the Yorkshire coast.

Thomas Broughton is remanded in custody after appearing at Ipswich Crown Court earlier.

• The Ipswich Star reports, external that a man and a woman have been taken to hospital following a serious collision
• Bury Free Press writes, external that a Bury St Edmunds councillor under investigation following complaints about his social media posts has resigned

Luke Durbin was 19 when he disappeared on a night out with friends in Ipswich in May 2006.

A mental health charity says the £5m venue will not reopen after lockdown restrictions are lifted.

The F-15C Eagle, from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath crashed shortly after 09:30 BST.

RAF Lakenheath confirms the news after a military jet crashed into the North Sea.

A US Air Force pilot has been confirmed dead after a military jet crashed into the North Sea off the east coast of England.

The F-15C Eagle, from the 48th Fighter Wing based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed shortly after 09:30 BST while on a training mission 74 nautical miles off Flamborough Head.

Colonel Will Marshall confirmed the news "with a very heavy heart", saying the pilot's name would not be released until next-of-kin had been notified.

"This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot's family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron," he added.

That's all for our rolling updates on this story for today.

We will, however, be continuing to update the below article as we have more developments:

Pilot's body found after North Sea US jet crash

"The pilot of the downed F-15C Eagle from the 48th Fighter Wing has been located, and confirmed deceased," said a spokesperson.

"The name of the pilot will not be released until all next of kin notifications have been made.

"This is a tragic loss for the 48th Fighter Wing community, and our deepest condolences go out to the pilot’s family and the 493rd Fighter Squadron."