Rugby councillor to appear in court over alleged '˜racist' tweet

Conservative Cllr Jim Buckley, who represents Hillmorton, is alleged to have tweeted a photo of Labour MP and London Mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan’s constituency office.

The caption stated ‘Your next London Mayor? You think his corner shop would be open on a Saturday’.

Mr Khan was born into a British-Pakistani family and worked as a solicitor before becoming an MP.

An Advertiser reader, who wished to remain anonymous, alerted the paper to the tweet in November last year and described it as ‘racist’.

Cllr Buckley will appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court in Leamington on February 24.

He was removed from the Conservative group in November and Rugby Borough Council launched an investigation after the incident was reported.

A Warwickshire Police spokesperson said: “A 61-year-old man has been issued with a postal requisition to attend Warwickshire Magistrates Court (Leamington) on February 24 2016.

“He will face allegations of ‘Sending by communication network an offensive/indecent/obscene/menacing message/matter’.”

Speaking to the Advertiser at the time of the complaint, Cllr Buckley said: “I am mortified if I have caused offence or upset to Sadiq or here in Rugby.

“I will continue to work hard to serve the people of Hillmorton.”