The Conservative leader of Swale borough council has been readmitted to the party following his suspension as a result of a controversial retweet.

Cllr Andrew Bowles, who represents Boughton and Courtenay, was temporarily removed while an investigation took place into his endorsement of the right of the leader of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson, to free speech.

At the time he said that he did not know the man but was simply responding to a tweet about the far-right activist's ban from Facebook and Twitter.

Swale Council leader Andrew Bowles

He subsequently issued an apology for his intervention and issued a lengthy statement explaining his action.

Since the incident he has gone on a social media training course.

The decision to readmit him means that he can now stand as a candidate in the forthcoming council election.

He has been the leader of the Conservative group for 16 years.

Cllr Andrew Bowles did not want to comment on the issue but said he was glad to have been readmitted to the party.