MORE than 1,170 people have signed a petition calling for a York councillor to be 'sacked' over controversial comments about the late Jackie Charlton.

The demand comes as a York landlord tweeted that Cllr Dave Taylor was banned from his pub over his postings on Facebook, and as City of York Council said it was investigating complaints about the comments, which had caused 'significant upset.'

The Press revealed yesterday that York Green Party had launched an internal investigation into the matter, and apologised to Charlton's family and fans for Cllr Taylor's comments.

The controversy began when Cllr Taylor made a personal posting on Facebook on Saturday following the death of the Leeds United and England star at the age of 85, in which he referred to the footballer's well known love of shooting and fishing.

He posted: "Jack 'Bloodsports' Charlton has died. Good." and subsequently sought to defend the post before later apologising for causing offence.

The petition to York Green Party, started by Paul Mitchell on Change.org, calls for the Fishergate councillor to be sacked 'with immediate effect.'

It says: "His inappropriate comments have upset thousands of people and the fact he has publicly stated he is glad that an icon of English and Irish football has passed away is an absolute disgrace for anyone to say, let alone a man of his political standing."

Comments posted by people signing the petition include: 'His words were totally tactless and very hurtful and inappropriate', 'What this councillor has said is an absolute disgrace' and 'A disgusting comment, and totally uncalled for.'

Shaun Collinge, landlord of The Maltings pub in York city centre, who is a Leeds United fan, tweeted that after his 'disgraceful, ill judged and insensitive' comments about the passing of 'LUFC Legend Big Jack,' he had taken the decision to ban the councillor from the premises.

He also quipped: "As he isn’t a lover of blood sports I’d hate him to be part of one..!!!!!"

Selby and Ainsty Tory MP and Government Minister Nigel Adams also tweeted: "I’m glad this waste of space has apologised over his nasty remarks but to think he was once Lord Mayor of @CityofYork reflects badly on a wonderful city."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said it understood some comments had been made at the weekend that had caused 'significant upset' but couldn't comment further whilst it investigated the allegations.

She said she couldn't share the number of complaints received 'as it could be perceived as prejudging the outcome of our internal investigation.'