Fermanagh and Omagh District Councillor, Victor Warrington has come in for criticism after a social media post on his Facebook page from 2012 was posted on Twitter and was described as “racist”.

Councillor Warrington deleted his Facebook page yesterday (Wednesday).

The post has also been described as discriminatory against disabled and Down Syndrome people for its description of a Chinese Paralympic five-a-side team.

Posted on the @grumpyfactcheck Twitter page on Tuesday night the response has been one of anger with some calling for Councillor Warrington, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, is Chairman of the Council’s Disability Advisory Group and is also the Ulster Unionist group leader in Council, to resign.

In a statement posted on his Twitter page, Councillor Warrington apologised on Tuesday night.

He then released a further statement on Wednesday afternoon as further incidents came to light.

“It’s been brought to my attention that seven years ago, before I was elected, I put a number of totally inappropriate and disrespectful comments on Facebook for which I would like to unreservedly apologise. As Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh Disability Advisory Group – and someone who has serious disabilities myself - I know it is no laughing matter. The comments were stupid at the time and they are still stupid.”

Councillor Warrington added: “I note the decision to remove the Whip and I will cooperate fully with the Party investigation in the weeks ahead. In the meantime I will continue in my role as an Erne East Councillor, and I look forward to working and assisting constituents of all backgrounds, just as I have from first being elected.”

Fellow councillor and SDLP Westminster candidate, Adam Gannon said he was disappointed to see the post and described it as “racist” and “anti-disabled”.

“He has apologised but racist and demeaning statements towards those with disabilities have no place in our society and as public representatives we have a responsibility to promote equality for all, not make a mockery of particular groups.”

Sinn Féin’s Tommy Maguire said there was no space for racism or discrimination in today’s society.

“There is an onus on all public representatives not to engage in racist or any other commentary which discriminates against sections of our community.

“Councillor Warrington’s comments were clearly wrong and completely out of order so it was the right thing for him to apologise.”

A further post from Councillor Warrington’s Facebook page, has also emerged which include the word “Fe**an”, a derogatory description of Catholics, in a song which related to the Union flag protests.

Another post (pictured) has the word “T**ker”, a derogatory term for Travellers, above a picture of a man pulling a horse and cart with the face of Celtic manager Neil Lennon superimposed.

In response to questions about the post, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) said Councillors are required to comply with the Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors which is overseen by the Office of the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon the Ulster Unionist Party confirmed: “Comments which are sectarian or racist in nature or demean people with disabilities are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the Ulster Unionist Party.

“Ulster Unionist Leader Steve Aiken has withdrawn the Party Whip from Councillor Victor Warrington with immediate effect following the circulation of comments Councillor Warrington made on social media in 2012.

“These will now be subject to an investigation. We will be making no further comment until that process is completed.”