Image Text:

"SORRY": Councillor Bob Frost has apologised for his racist remarks

A TORY COUNCILLOR from Kent has been suspended after he described those involved in the Tottenham riots as “jungle bunnies”.

Bob Frost, who sits on Dover District Council, posted the racist remarks on his Facebook page while on holiday in Sicily.

Referring to the events in Tottenham on Saturday, August 6, he wrote: "I'm missing the vibrant and multi-cultural society which I normally celebrate here in Sicily! Not!"

It was then suggested to him that he should take a trip to north London.

He replied: "All the bunnies here are of the woodland variety rather than the jungle."

The 49-year-old maths teacher then deleted the comments after being reprimanded by a colleague.

Mr Frost then wrote: “I have just had a phone call that accused me of racism for my above posting.

“Looking at the dictionary it would appear that the term jungle bunnies is perjorative [sic] and is a racist slur relating to African-Americans.

“Needless to say I did not mean to use any offensive racist term and was referring to the urban jungle.”

But his explanation was also deleted, according to the Daily Mail, following a further phone call from another Conservative.

Sola Afuape, chair of the equalities charity Afiya Trust, said: "You don't expect somebody in a position of power, in a leadership position, to make comments like this.

"They're clearly offensive – racist, in fact."

Frost has since issued an “unreserved” apology but has been suspended.

Councillor Sue Chandler, deputy leader of Dover District Council Conservative Group said: “There is no place in our society for this kind of language.

“We have therefore suspended Cllr Frost from the Conservative Group pending investigation.”