A senior Merseyside Conservative Councillor has sparked outrage by suggesting athlete Bianca Willaims should be banned from representing the UK, after she was controversially stopped and searched by police.
Ms Williams and Portuguese athlete Rocardo Dos Santos were stopped in London on Saturday.
Ms Williams has said she believes officers racially profiled her and her partner when they were handcuffed and separated from their three-month-old son.
The Metropolitan Police has now referred itself to the policing watchdog over the incident and Met Commissioner Cressida Dick has today issued an apology to Ms Williams for the distress caused during the incident.
Last night, Cllr Denise Dutton, the deputy leader of Sefton Conservatives prompted anger when she posted a twitter poll about the situation regarding Ms Williams.
She asked: "Should Bianca Williams now be banned from representing TeamGB at all future events?"
The question was met with shock and consternation from many, who asked what her reasoning was for the suggestion.
One asked: "What a ridiculous question. Well done to her for standing up against racism and wrong doing."
Another said: "What a strange question."
Responding, Cllr Dutton added: "If she thinks the UK is so racist why would ppl want to her to represent TeamGB?"
Attempting to defend her comments, she added: "I haven't got a racist bone in my body (as anyone who knows me will attest to) but to say the country she represents is racist is just wrong - end of."
Hundreds of people criticised the councillor's comments.
Several suggested she should resign over them.
One said: "Reported. Not fit for public office. 'Oh I was only asking a question' Step down."
Another said: "Reported, racism should not be tolerated in British politics, hand your resignation letter in at the earliest convenience please."
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The councillor now appears to have deleted the comments regarding Ms Williams.
The Echo has attempted to contact her and the Sefton Conservatives Association for a response.
