Race row mayor-elect dropped

Richard Lewis denies he has said anything racist

The mayor-elect of Swansea has been dropped after a row over remarks about immigration in an election leaflet.

Richard Lewis, a long-serving Independent member of Swansea Council, was due to be installed as mayor on 18 June.

The job will now go to another Independent after all five political groups on the council complained to the local government ombudsman.

But Mr Lewis said there was nothing racist in his remarks.

He was criticised over comments about Bangladeshi immigration in the leaflet set to homes in the Gower ward.

At a full meeting of the council it was decided Mr Lewis, who is currently deputy lord mayor, should not become lord mayor.

In a joint statement, the city's political groups said it would be inappropriate for Mr Lewis to take the post while he was the subject of a complaint.

Another Independent, Margaret Smith, has now been nominated to become lord mayor in his place.

The inauguration dinner for Mr Lewis has been cancelled and a ceremony for Ms Smith is due to be held next month.

Mr Lewis' comments in his leaflet related to a meeting he had in Cardiff with the British high commissioner for Bangladesh, and the number of visas that had been issued to Bangladeshis to live in the UK.

However, Mr Lewis said all he had done was report figures and a statement of fact, and there was nothing racist in his article.

In a statement, Swansea Council said the ombudsman would decide whether the complaint should be investigated.