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A Tory councillor has been suspended after an offensive tweet appeared on his account during the Eurovision Song Contest.

Nick Harrington has been suspended from the Conservatives on Warwick District Council for six months after the expletive-ridden comment stunned social media users.

The Conservative Party has also suspended Mr Harrington, a spokesman confirmed.

The tweet said: “#Eurovision2017 thanks Ireland.

"You can keep your f****** gypsies! Hard border coming folks!”

The “hard border” comment appears to be a reference to stricter controls behind the UK and Ireland post-Brexit, reports th e Daily Mirror .

Mr Harrington's post came after Ireland gave the UK "nul points" during last night's Eurovision vote.

An internal investigation is now planned, the Coventry Telegraph reports.

Mr Harrington’s account, along with the tweet, has since been deleted but not before it was screengrabbed and retweeted by others.

The tweet seems to have been prompted by the fact that none of the Irish judges voted for the British song to win and because of the way the votes are counted it’s unclear whether the Irish public voted for the song.

Cllr Andrew Mobbs (Con, Park Hill), leader of Warwick District Council, and who heads the council’s Conservative group, told the Telegraph : “I find these comments completely unacceptable.

“I have had a number of people contact me by telephone and e-mail this morning with concerns and I have suspended councillor Harrington from the Conservative group on Warwick District Council for six months.

"There will be an investigation.”

Among those outraged by the tweet was former Pride of Coventry & Warwickshire winner Daniel Browne, who tweeted: “He should be removed from his position immediately.”

One tweeter claimed to have reported the tweet to their local police.

Another highlighted internet safety sessions run in schools reminding children whatever they post on the internet is likely to stay there forever.

Mr Harrington has been approached for comment.

On Saturday night, Portugal won its first Eurovision Song Contest for Salvador Sobral's performance of Amar Pelos Dois.

Sobral was crowned winner during a tense finale in Kiev, Ukraine, marking the first time Portugal has finished inside the top five in 53 years of taking part.

Meanwhile the UK achieved its highest points haul in eight years with former X Factor contestant Lucie Jones receiving 111 for her performance of Never Give Up On You.