Parliamentary hopeful Coun Tim Cheetham has apologised for an offensive message he posted on Twitter - and revealed he considered stepping down over the remarks.
Coun Cheetham, who represents Royston residents, dubbed Catholics 'slobbering zealots' after watching footage of pilgrims kissing the relics of St Therese of Lisieux.
The comments have been reported again after he announced he would put himself forward as the Labour Party candidate to replace Eric Illsley, who has said he will resign after admitting expenses fraud.
On his blog, http://bit.ly/dTFEh7, headed 'Regrets, I have a few...' Coun Cheetham says he deeply regrets the comments.
He writes: "In 2009 I said a very very stupid thing on Twitter.
"I made a remark which I know caused great offence to the Catholic community and indeed more widely. I regret this hugely. I apologised then and I continue to apologise now without reservation. "It was a particularly stupid thing to say. As I said in the local press at the time; I hate causing offence to anyone. It is never ever my intention to do so. I was mortified to have done so on that occasion." He reveals he considered resigning as a councillor over the furore.
"I learnt a lesson two years ago about how easy it is to cause upset, even without intending to.
It did make me consider my position at the time. I continue online engagement but I have learnt that, as well as having a responsibility to try to communicate as widely with the public as I can, I also have a responsibility as a public servant to behave with complete sensitivity and integrity."
