Councillor arrested over 'stone columnist' appeal

Gareth Compton, councillor for Erdington, Birmingham, was questioned and released on bail following his arrest.

The post on Mr Compton's profile on the micro-blogging site, which has since been removed, reportedly read: "Can someone please stone Yasmin Alibhai-Brown to death? I shan't tell Amnesty if you don't. It would be a blessing, really."

In a message posted on the site yesterday he apologised: "I did not 'call' for the stoning of anybody. I made an ill-conceived attempt at humour in response to Yasmin Alibhai-Brown saying on Radio 5 Live...that no politician had the right to comment on human rights abuses, even the stoning of women in Iran.

"I apologise for any offence caused. It was wholly unintentional," he wrote.

A Birmingham City Council spokeswoman said: "Any written complaints will be formally considered by the council standards committee to determine if any investigation should be held.

"The committee will also be mindful of any criminal investigations concluded by the police."

Unison West Midlands regional secretary Roger McKenzie said: "Unison have been inundated with complaints from Birmingham City Council staff who are outraged at these appalling racist comments from their political masters.

"Birmingham is a multicultural city and the council's workforce reflects this.

"It is clear that Coun Compton is out of touch with both his city and the council staff.

"It is wholly unacceptable for a public official to make such racist comments. Coun Compton must resign his seat immediately.

"If a council worker would have made such a statement they would quite rightly be disciplined.

"If Coun Compton won't resign his seat then...David Cameron should do the honourable thing and force him to quit rather than try and defend the indefensible."