A SENIOR councillor facing calls for his resignation has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Mike Lilley, Colchester's public safety boss, had been asked to explain his actions after sending a tweet about the role Argentina played in the Falklands War.

As part of a Twitter conversation on July 27, Mr Lilley (Lab), whose parents set up home in the islands before moving to England, wrote: “You have to fly to ascension island as the dirty argies, have a air ban (sic). It’s about 6k for the flight as well."

As a result of the post, his actions were reported to council bosses by Conservative Beverly Davies and one member of the public.

Mrs Davies had claimed Mr Lilley's position on the cabinet should be under threat.

But last night, members of Colchester Council's governance and audit committee decided he should face no action.

Mr Lilley was not able to attend the meeting but was backed by a number of speakers.

Fellow Labour member Julie Young said Mr Lilley was genuinely remorseful and called the tweet "a lapse in judgement".

She added: "I would ask the committee to consider the matter and take no further action.

"No one will be harder on Mike than Mike himself."

Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) said: "He has expressed remorse and regret for his actions immediately... and this is something which should end immediately."

Tim Young, Labour's group leader, added: "Mike realised almost immediately he had made a mistake and not only deleted the tweet but also his Twitter account.

"Knowing his family history it is probably a phrase he had heard hundreds of times - but it doesn't make it right.

"Mike is an exceptional cabinet member and he works incredibly hard."

Tory group boss Dennis Willetts backed a proposal calling for the complaint to be dropped but labelled the members' code of conduct - which Mr Lilley's post was alleged to have breached - as "out of date".

He added: "It is a bit of a mess and I find it inconsistent.

"I believe as councillors we should be able to say what we like provided it is not unlawful.

"We live in a world where everything we say offends someone."

The committee unanimously agreed Mr Lilley should face no further action.

The complaints against Mr Lilley came despite two public apologies.

The Labour stalwart also revealed last week he was quizzed by police over the tweet but was cleared of any wrongdoing after a seven-week investigation.

In a submission to the committee Mrs Davies said his post showed a “deep-seated prejudice”.

But Mr Lilley responded: “I made a stupid remark and will accept what the committee decide. I am disappointed to be before the committee as I’m not a bad person.”