Ben Grower (above), a Labour councillor, refused to deal with a constituent because they supported Ukip, it has been claimed

A Labour councillor refused to deal with a local resident because they supported Ukip, it has been claimed.

Pensioner Alan Roberts wrote to Bournemouth Borough Council complaining about a lack of action over fly-tipping. He signed off his email with: 'That's why I'll be voting Ukip'.

Ben Grower, leader of the authority's Labour group, responded: 'As you now appear to be a supporter of a racist party please do not send me any further emails as they will be put in my junk mail folder and automatically deleted.'

Mr Roberts said he was shocked by the 'petty' reply.

The 65-year-old said: 'I am certainly not a racist and I do not think Ukip is racist.

'My comments about regaining our country is in relation to the fact that we are getting more and more laws from the EU.'

A formal complaint has been lodged against Mr Grower and the council is investigating.

However Mr Grower stood by his comments, saying: 'Ukip is a racist party.'

He added that he has nothing to apologise for.

'I don't believe that everyone that votes for UKIP is racist just like I don't believe everyone who votes for Labour is socialist.,' he said.

A spokesman from UKIP said: 'This is a serious breach of his [Mr Grower's] responsibility to treat all people from Bournemouth in the same courteous and respectful manner, regardless of their race, colour or political persuasion.'

Six years ago Mr Grower was subject to another council investigation after it was found he had used an alias to praise his own work on a local newspaper website.

He used the pseudonym 'Omegaman' to publicly big up the part he played in the community.