COUNCILLORS are angry at claims that a former council officer at the centre of a racial abuse row "let down" the council.

Mac Williams, former principal health and safety officer at Durham City Council, spoke on BBC 2's Close Up North documentary of how he allegedly endured a catalogue of remarks about his colour.

Mr Williams, now chairman of the city's magistrates, accepted a £6,500 settlement from the Labour-run council, which denied his allegations, in his claim for racial discrimination.

The Northern Echo reported that a spokeswoman for the council, which is considering legal action because Mr Williams breached a gagging order, said his TV appearance was "the latest in a long line of let-downs" to the council and many of his colleagues.

But former council leader Bill Kellett said: "Mr Williams over the years has been the subject of a lot of abuse", adding it was unacceptable to Labour members "and all decent people".

He rejected the spokeswoman's statement, and said: "I give Mr Williams my full support."

Councillor Ian Fawcett said: "I would wish to disassociate myself from the council statement. As far as I am concerned Mr Williams is a very honourable man. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered about the whole affair."

Meanwhile, campaigning Durham cobbler Tony Martin, who featured on the show, says he has tracked down the hacker who sabotaged his website by posting a pornographic picture on it. "It was a kid who had a tiff with the lad who set up the site," he said. The boy has apologised but he is still considering legal action.