AN investigation into “inappropriate comments” made on social media site twitter by a former town mayor has found he breached the code of conduct for councillors.

Tory councillor Derek Adamson, who represents Carlton Miniott on Hambleton District Council and is a former Mayor of Thirsk, was challenged by the Labour leader of York City Council James Alexander over messages sent on twitter.

Coun Adamson had said the Green party were a “bunch of oddballs who can’t be taken seriously, a bit like York City Council.”

Coun Alexander also complained about other tweets by Coun Adamson including one that read "Oscar Pistorius granted bail, must have run out of girlfriends to shoot."

After an investigation by Hambleton District Council’s standards panel, the authority found Coun Adamson had breached the code of conduct and showed a lack of respect.

The council also said his actions fell below the standards that a reasonable member of the public would expect.

In a letter to the York City leader a representative of the authority’s standards panel added: "The council noted the contrition of the councillor, that the twitter account had been closed down and a full written apology had been given to you.

"The panel concluded that the councillor had breached the code of conduct.

"In the light of the actions already taken by the councillor no further action was required."

Coun Adamson said he did not feel it was appropriate to comment.