A TOWN and district councillor dubbed a colleague a tiger with Down's Syndrome' in an email sent to fellow politicians.

Cllr Russell Hawker, of Fell Road, Westbury, was referring to fellow town councillor Bill Braid, with whom he has a long-running dispute.

The email was sent to the chairman of the West Wiltshire Conservative Association and other party members, including MP Dr Andrew Murrison, as part of a request for Cllr Braid to resign or be expelled from the Conservative party, which Cllr Hawker later left.

In a subsequent email he apologised for the grossly offensive' remark - but only for likening people who have Down's Syndrome to Cllr Braid.

Cllr Hawker said the comment had been sent in a private email as a member of the Conservative party and that he had not been acting as a councillor at the time.

"It's true I did describe him as a tiger with Down's Syndrome but that's not in itself an offensive comment about Down's Syndrome people," he said.

He said the comparison was made because he felt Cllr Braid was an energetic and highly active person but gets muddled', as he imagined a tiger with the condition would behave.

"It did occur to me that a relative or friend of someone with Down's Syndrome may take offence at being likened to Bill Braid," he said.

Dr Murrison said: "My understanding is that Cllr Hawker has apologised for any offence caused."

The comment was one of a long list of insults aimed at Cllr Braid in a barrage of emails and comments on internet forums.

Cllr Hawker has now received a written warning from the police for harassing Cllr Braid and has been told he could face prosecution if further allegations are made against him.

Acting Sergeant Dave Mills said the warning had been given under the 1997 Harassment Act.

Cllr Braid said he felt he had no choice but to involve the police after reaching the end of his tether and said he had a thick file detailing all the emails he received.

"It makes you feel like he's on your shoulder 24 hours a day. No one should treat anyone the way he's treated me. He has just tried to ridicule me," he said.

Cllr Hawker confirmed he had received a police warning and said the dispute with Cllr Braid referred to allegations made to the Standards Board for England last year. After an investigation it was found Mr Hawker had not breached any of the councillors' code of conduct.

He was reported to the Standards Board again in July, in a matter which has still to be decided.