A FORMER mayor is being investigated over accusations he tweeted insulting comments about a neighbouring council and made offensive jokes over the killing of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius’ girlfriend.

Derek Adamson, who represents Carlton Miniott on Hambleton District Council and has been Thirsk’s mayor several times, was reported to the authority by City of York Council leader James Alexander.

Coun Adamson described the North Yorkshire Green Party as “a bunch of oddballs who can’t be taken seriously, bit like York City Council”.

The tweet and other messages have been referred to the district council’s standards hearings panel. Coun Adamson declined to comment. His twitter account has been deleted.