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A formal complaint has been made against a councillor after he referred to refugees as “rapefugees”.

The comment was made by Pontypool Councillor Mike Harris who wrote “Rapefugees or BREXIT?” when he posted a Daily Mail article in the Torfaen Matters group on Facebook.

Following the comment Labour AM for Torfaen, Lynne Neagle, has made a formal complaint.

And at a Safer Communities committee meeting at Torfaen County Borough Council on Wednesday committee members walked out over concerns about Coun Harris’ suitability.

"It was quite clear I wasn't referring to all refugees"

Speaking about his Facebook post, Coun Harris said: “It was quite clear I wasn’t referring to all refugees. It was specifically in relation to a story in Northumbria.

“The moment they commit an assault they forgo their status of refugees.

“The same happened in Germany on New Year’s Eve.”

He said he believed there are “genuine refugees” but that he supports what UKIP leader Nigel Farage says.

The comment he made on social media sparked outrage with users who hit back at the councillor saying it was a “horrible word” and one said “you can’t seriously call all refugees rapists”.

But Ms Neagle has filed a formal complaint.

"Individual councillors are responsible for their comments and postings on social media"

She said: “Mike Harris’ use of the term ‘rapefugees’ to describe people fleeing persecution is completely unacceptable.

“This inflammatory and discriminatory language is even more disturbing given that he has the responsibility of chairing the Safer Communities Committee in Torfaen - a position he has now brought into disrepute.

“I have made a formal complaint to the Council’s Monitoring Officer and I also call on the Leader of the Independent Group in Torfaen to distance himself publicly from Cllr Harris’ remarks and to remove him as chair.”

With regards to the comments, a spokesman for Torfaen County Borough Council said: “The monitoring officer has received complaints regarding an alleged breach of the Councillor’s code of conduct in regard to comments made on Facebook.

“Individual councillors are responsible for their comments and postings on social media. They are subject to a code of conduct, aspects of which apply to a councillor even when he/she is not acting on council business.

“Complaints that a councillor may have breached the code should be made to the Ombudsman online at www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk . The Ombudsman will then decide whether or not to investigate.”

Members left meeting

On Wednesday all four members of the Safer Communities Committee left a meeting after Coun Harries said he was happy to chair an item discussing equalities.

During the meeting Labour councillor Brian Mawby said: “It deals with racial, religious, sexual orientation - all those sorts of equality issues - on some of which you are outspoken, in relation to race and religion.

“I do think you ought to consider whether it’s appropriate for you to chair this particular item.”

But Coun Harris said that as he has never breached the code of conduct he was “happy to chair the meeting”.

Despite telling the committee it would be a quick discussion and that he would be professional and show no bias, all four members left the room.