Expelled UKIP councillor resigns to stand as independent
A Redditch councillor who was expelled by UKIP after allegedly making racist and homophobic remarks online has resigned from the authority.
Dave Small said he now intends to stand as an independent candidate at a by-election for the Church Hill ward on Redditch Borough Council.
He was interviewed by West Mercia Police last week over his Facebook posts.
The 81-year-old entered office in last month's local elections.
He was initially suspended by his party and then expelled after allegedly calling African migrants "scroungers" and Clare Balding and Sir Elton John "perverts".
Social media 'concerns'
In an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester he denied being racist but admitted he was homophobic.
The authority said: "We can confirm that today, Dave Small resigned as councillor for the Church Hill ward with immediate effect.
"The council will now publish a notice of casual vacancy requiring two local electors to call a by-election."
Mr Small was voluntarily interviewed by police officers after they were alerted to "concerns" over his social media posts.
The force stressed Mr Small was not arrested but it would pass an evidence file to the Crown Prosecution Service.