A ROW between two rival politicians over an allegedly racist remark could be investigated by a watchdog who monitors the behaviour of councillors.

Durham City Council's Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Carol Woods, wrote in a newsletter that the city's Labour MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, "was born and bred in Belfast, and it is clear she is out of touch with the views of local people".

Dr Blackman-Woods claimed that this and a comment about "outsiders who threaten our jobs and services" were racist and was supported in her view by Mariom Kahn-Willis, chairwoman of County Durham and Darlington Racial Equality Council.

Councillor Woods has refuted the claims and was backed by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell when he visited Durham last Friday. She said the claim was unfounded and was prompted by Dr Blackman-Woods' "anxiety" about the next General Election.

Now the city council's Labour group deputy leader, Councillor Peter Mitchell, has complained to the council's Monitoring Officer and Standards Board that Coun Woods breached the councillors' code of conduct.

Coun Mitchell said: "I believe the deputy leader has broken the council's Code of Conduct for Members on at least two counts.

"She has conducted herself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing her office and the authority into disrepute, and has also breached the section regarding the equality legislation.

"While she may claim her remarks were not intended to incite racism, evidence I have given to the council shows that that has been one of the effects."

He said that if he was unhappy with the outcome of the complaint he would take it to the Standards Board for England.

Coun Woods said: "I refute the allegation that my comment was racist. I stand by what I said that Roberta Blackman-Woods isn't representing local people. I would welcome an investigation."