A BROADWAY parish councillor has resigned from his post amid allegations that he 'slagged off' the village in a newspaper article.

Michael Gordon-Smith, who ran as Liberal Democrat candidate during the recent county elections, was quoted by the Irish Times. He recounted a comment made to him during canvassing that the Broadway Conservative candidate could be a 'blue, two-headed donkey and they'd still vote for it."

Members of the Broadway Trust were thought to have taken offence to the article and complained to the parish council. Mr Gordon-Smith was told of the matter hours before the council's annual parish meeting two weeks ago. During that meeting he resigned from his position in what he claims was a pre-planned move, brought about by his heavy workload.

Mr Gordon-Smith said: "The article was a lovely piece of Irish writing. I'm surprised that people did take offence at it and I'm quite convinced this whole issue has been used in a political manoeuvre. I have had a number of calls of support from people in the village that are angry at what went on at the meeting.

"I am not prepared to put up with a council that will bow to pressure of a non-elected group. This is not a representative council. I think it is a complete illustration of the way things are done around here - no-one had the courtesy to come to me.

He added: "Because of my involvement in the parish plan I have nothing but affection in relation to the village, and I would not have wanted to cause offence to anyone. This article has been taken out of context."

"They (the parish council) didn't ask for my resignation as I had already spoken to the clerk saying I wanted to come off."

Parish chairman Councillor David Folkes said: "An article appeared in the Irish Times regarding Broadway generally and some information was collected. He was saying the village wasn't moving forward and they are old fuddy-duddies. He has slagged off the village. We are very prominent with the Irish during the Cheltenham Festival - it was not a very good advertisement."

The Broadway Trust did not want to comment when contacted by the Journal.