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A Conservative councillor who deeply regretted posting an offensive tweet about Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been disciplined by the party.

Roger Patterson, who represents Scampton on West Lindsey District Council, found himself in hot water after he wrote that "traitor" Corbyn should be "swinging from the gallows like Saddam Hussein".

He also posted at 11.52pm on Wednesday, July 24 that Corbyn had "betrayed this country by his support for terrorists and our enemies".

(Image: West Lindsey District Council)

Saddam Hussein was hanged on December 30, 2006 after he was given a death sentence for the killing of 148 men and boys in in the northern Iraqi town of Dujail in 1982.

Local Conservatives have now censured Cllr Patterson, extended his suspension to November 8 and ordered him to complete training in social media and the code of conduct for councillors.

West Lindsey District Council leader Giles McNeill investigated the tweet and told a Conservative Group meeting last week that his colleague had breached the group’s rules and not upheld the highest standards in public office.

He said Cllr Patterson had breached both the party's and the council’s codes of conduct.

Councillor McNeill said: “We recognised the seriousness of Cllr Patterson’s mistake and in my recommendations reduced the maximum six month suspension we could impose because he had pretty quickly realised his mistake and issued a comprehensive and unconditional apology.”

Councillor Roger Patterson deleted the original tweet shortly after posting it and later apologised for its contents.

(Image: Cllr Roger Patterson/Twitter)

At the time, he said: “I’m not going to defend myself because it was quite a stupid thing to say.

"It wasn’t in anyway inciting anybody to do anything, it was a stupid remark when I was tired and late at night.

“I should know better, but I’m a human being, we make mistakes and all say stupid things that we regret.

“I would never suggest or condone using violence against anyone and it certainly was not my intention to incite anything,” he said.

“I sincerely apologise to Jeremy Corbyn and anyone else offended.”

Councillor Patterson will now sit as an independent councillor during his suspension.