Councillor Ken Gregory cleared over Aids voicemail

Councillor Ken Gregory was given a police caution in May

A Tory councillor who left a homophobic message for a bisexual councillor has been cleared of misconduct.

Ken Gregory got a police caution in May and was suspended from the Conservative group on Thanet council for six months over the call to John Worrow.

The Kent council's standards committee has now ruled he did not break its code of conduct as he was acting privately.

Mr Worrow, an Independent on the council, said it proved the committee was "not fit for purpose".

He had received a voice message on his mobile phone in May saying "with a bit of luck you'll get Aids".

Speaking at the time, Mr Worrow said: "There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for that kind of behaviour towards anyone regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexuality."