CALLS are being made for a Tory councillor to step down after he admitted making racially offensive remarks at a committee meeting.

Pendle Coun Smith Benson accepted that he used the word ‘Pakis’ to describe the Asian community at a committee meeting last year.

Labour leader Coun Mohammed Iqbal is now urging him to ‘do the honourable thing’ and resign.

He said if Coun Benson does not step down, his party should sack him.

But Coun Tony Beckett, Pend-le’s Tory Leader, said: “Smith Benson has said he’s sorry and that he did not realise it would cause offence.

"It was said without malice.

“I think for the Labour Party to say he should be sacked for making a sweeping statement is a bit strong.”

Liberal Democrat Coun Tony Greaves said he made a complaint against Coun Benson following a meeting of Colne Town Centre Regeneration Forum last September.

He said the action was taken at the request of a number of people who were present at the meeting.

After the complaint was lodged, Pendle Council’s monitoring officer conducted an investigation into the alleged incident.

Details of the probe are provided in the officer’s report to the borough’s standards sub-committee, which will discuss the findings next week.

In the report it says that Grahame Wharton, chairman of the forum asked officers as well as borough and town councillors, including Coun Benson, what was wrong with Colne.

It is alleged that Coun Benson responded by saying: “The problem with Colne is that there are too many takeaways.

"And too many Pakis, that’s why people don’t come to Colne.”

Coun Iqbal described the Conservative councillor’s words as ‘deplorable and disgusting.’ He said: “It is an example of the Tory party showing its true colours.

"We are calling on him to do the honourable thing and resign.

“If he doesn’t step down Coun Beckett should sack him.”

According to the report Coun Benson has admitted making the remarks, although he may have said ‘taxis’ and not ‘takeaways.’ He has apologised to Mr Wharton, the council officers and his fellow party members, agreeing his words were inappropriate.

Coun Smith Benson was elected onto Pendle Council in the Horsfield ward in May 2008.

This is his third stint as a Pendle councillor. He first began in 1966 on the then Borough of Colne Council.

Between 1985 and 1987 he was the Conservative Leader.

Pendle’s Standards Sub-Committee will discuss the report next Wednesday.