UPDATE 10AM:

The future of UKIP race-ranter Eric Kitson was embroiled in a farcical stand-off this morning - as Worcestershire County Council confirmed he had NOT resigned.

Contrary to the statement below from UKIP's national office, the authority says as of 10am no resignation has been offered.

County Hall has now launched its own investigation over Coun Kitson's racist rants.

Trish Haines, chief executive, said: "We take the conduct of our elected members extremely seriously and we expect all our councillors to comply with the Code of Conduct.

"We have therefore contacted Coun Kitson to arrange an urgent meeting to discuss the allegations about his personal Facebook page."

She added she was "concerned about their apparent content and tone."

UKIP now say a further statement is due out in the next few hours, while Coun Kitson has still not returned calls.

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THE Stourport UKIP councillor at the centre of a “racist” facebook comments storm has resigned from the role, his party has announced.

UKIP spokesman Gawain Towler tonight said: “We believe Eric Kitson is an honest man who has made, by his own admission, some serious mistakes by posting or reposting offensive material on his facebook which he should never have associated himself with.

“He regrets this enormously and rightly so. His decision to resign is, under the circumstances, the right one.

“UKIP deplores racism or religious intolerance in any form and this is a stark demonstration people who are careless, unthinking or foolishly provocative in their online activity can both give great offence to others and severely damage themselves.

“Mr Kitson’s membership of the party will be considered by the national executive committee who will take into account the outcome of the police investigation now underway.”

Mr Kitson was elected to Worcestershire County Council 13 days ago.

He told The Shuttle last night he posted the pictures and comments to "show how bad they are" and “could not be more sorry”.

He added: “I do not have a racist bone in my body”.

The posts made on Mr Kitson’s facebook profile, which has now been taken down, included one of a Muslim being spit-roasted on a fire fuelled by copies of the Koran.

He also said, in reference to Muslim women: “Hang um all first then ask questions later.”

West Mercia Police have confirmed they had asked for more information after receiving a complaint about the posts.