TWO councillors stormed out of a meeting after an independent council member defended the use of racist language when it is used "with no hate involved".

Councillor Graham Down suggested that using the 'n word' and shortened version of Pakistani should not be considered racist or hate crimes if they are not used maliciously and were used by somebody simply because that was "the way he had been brought up".

He made the comments during a discussion of a motion condemning the use of racist and xenophobic language at a Monmouthshire County Council meeting.

Labour councillor Jess Crook interrupted Cllr Down condemning his remarks and later said that anyone who condones the use of racist words is being racist.

Cllr Down said at the meeting: "I recall hearing an interview on the radio a few weeks ago. The reporter was of Pakistani origin and she was just interviewing a man she happened across in the street and he referred to her by, I suppose I’m not allowed to use the word, but a shortened version of Pakistani shall we say.

"There was no hate involved. It was just as far as the guy was concerned the interview was concerned it was simply a term that he would use perfectly normally.

"The reporter was clearly upset about it but I say again there was no hate involved from the perpetrator’s perspective it was simply the way he had been brought up."

Cllr Down also made reference to another incident in recent years where a Monmouthshire council member has used racist comments, specifically referring to one using the 'n word' but said it was used with "no malice or hatred involved".

Both Cllr Crook and Labour councillor Tony Easson left the room as Cllr Down, who represents Shirenewton, continued his point.

Returning to the chamber, Cllr Crook said: "I didn’t really see the need to comment on this motion as it’s pretty self explanatory.

"I cannot believe, which is the reason I walked out of Cllr Down's unbelievable little tirade there, that we’ve just let somebody in this chamber condone the use of racist language.

"If you say those words, you are being racist. If you condone the use of those words, you are being racist."

Following an interruption from council chairman councillor Jim Higginson as well as the attempted point of order from councillor Armand Watts, Cllr Crook resumed her remarks.

She said: "I also can’t believe you’ve just stood there and interrupted me for lambasting somebody whose just condoned racism on the internet. Are we absolutely having a laugh?

"That is absolutely disgusting and every single one of you who has tried to interrupt me as well and telling me to shut up for lambasting that sort of behaviour should also be extremely ashamed of themselves.

"I stand up, put my head above the parapet and say that is absolutely wrong and I get jeered down. What is the matter with all of you?"

Despite the furore, the full council passed the motion condemning racist and xenophobic languge.

Commenting on the incident,  Council Chief Executive, Paul Matthews said: “Monmouthshire County Council unanimously agreed on Thursday evening a motion put forward by Chairman of the Council Jim Higginson.

"The motion: 'We are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our country. We reassure all people living in Monmouthshire that they are valued members of our community' is now council policy and the council stands behind it.

"As is usual in council debates individual councillors express opinions. They are accountable to the public for their own actions and statements. It is common for personal positions to be at odds with the council’s policy position.

"It is true to say that there were strong exchanges on Thursday. I have not received any formal complaints or code of conduct referrals at the time of writing this statement."

Commenting later, Cllr Down said there had been an overreaction and called Cllr Crook a “silly little girl”.

He added: “For someone growing up today, they would know that the language that was commonplace in my day is rude.

“I don’t deny that using these words is impolite, rude and unacceptable but the word is hate. When people use these expressions in the way I discussed there’s no malice.

“To accuse of them of hate is wrong. It’s not hate, it is ignorance.”