CALLS have been made for former UKIP councillor Dave Small to resign.

The newly elected Redditch councillor was expelled from UKIP last week after allegations he made racist and homophobic comments on the social networking site Facebook.

When it came to light that the Redditch resident referred to African migrants as "scroungers" and several gay celebrities, including Sir Elton John, as being perverts, he was at first suspended by the party.

However, days later he was kicked out with a spokesman for UKIP saying Mr Small had been expelled after "clearly bringing the party into disrepute".

Leader of Redditch Council Bill Hartnett said: "I do not believe voters of Church Hill have got the representative they thought they were voting for. I therefore put it to Coun Small that he owes it to the electorate to resign and contest the seat again as an independent.

"As a councillor for Church Hill for the past 29 years, I am particularly disgusted by the views of the new Church Hill councillor, I hope that residents make their views known and that Coun Small does the decent thing and resigns."

Last Friday Coun Small was voluntarily interviewed by officers from West Mercia Police over concerns raised by a member of the public about the comments and a property in Redditch was searched by police for evidence gathering purposes.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, North Worcestershire Police Commander, said: "Once all investigations are complete a file will be submitted to the CPS for their consideration."

A Redditch Council spokesman said they could not comment on the situation.

What do you think? Should Coun Dave Small resign? Comment at facebook.com/theredditchadvertiser.co.uk.