COUNCIL bosses in Worcestershire have been urged to take severe action against a senior councillor who backed Boris Johnson’s controversial comments about burqas on Twitter.

Councillor Ken Pollock sparked fury when he repeated comments made by the former Foreign Secretary stating women who wore the niqab looked like “letter boxes” before adding “bank robbers would find the burka a good disguise”.

He initially posted on Friday (August 10) using the “I Am Spartacus” line from the classic Kirk Douglas movie as an act of solidarity with Mr Johnson.

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But he now faces a Worcestershire County Council investigation after a formal complaint was lodged by an outraged member of public.

He was also branded “racist” by Wyre Forest Muslim councillor Shazu Miah while other Twitter users said his comments were “ignorant”.

When contacted by The Advertiser, Councillor Pollock said it would be inappropriate to comment further but during his Twitter exchanges, he strongly refuted the criticism aimed at him.

He said he had concerns about cultural pressures placed on Muslim women and also defended the right to free speech and to make jokes.

But Councillor Miah said: “To suggest and to agree that women who wear burqas or any other clothing look like bank robbers is racist in my view and I consider that the county council should review Councillor Pollock’s suitability to be on the Council.”

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "We can confirm that a complaint has been received, which will be reviewed in line with our procedures."

The Advertiser has also contacted Home Secretary and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid for comment.