MAYOR Nick Martin faces a ‘no confidence’ motion over another accusation of acting inappropriately.

The council’s Labour group says it will move the vote if he fails to stand down. Coun Martin, a Conservative, asked Central ward Labour councillor Junab Ali to not enter his parlour when he visited on Wednesday with the South West Bangladeshi Catering Group, of which he is an honorary member.

Coun Martin asked him to wait outside while fellow members entered to have their pictures taken, as he believes Coun Ali reported him to the council’s standards committee.

The mayor was accused last month of misconduct during a council officer’s presentation about issues faced by adults with disabilities.

He is alleged to have said: “They aren’t still letting those mongols have sex with each other are they?” The mayor vehemently denies the claim.

He said of Coun Ali: “I have been advised to not entertain him while the incident is being investigated.”

He declined to comment on the vote of no confidence.

Labour group leader Coun Jim Grant said this was not a political manoeuvre but was rather to preserve the reputation of Swindon.

“This is entirely inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour on behalf of the first citizen of Swindon,” said Coun Grant. “We are calling on the mayor to step down and I would hope he will do this in the next couple of days.

“If that doesn’t happen we will be calling a special council meeting to move a vote of no confidence.”

The Labour group had planned to move the vote at the full council meeting on Thursday night but Coun Martin was off sick.

A council spokesman said: “The mayor had a dental appointment late yesterday afternoon and was forced to miss last night’s full council meeting as he required additional treatment.”

The vote of no confidence would have to take place at a special council meeting.

To arrange such an event, a petition with more than five signatures has to be presented to the council and a suitable date arranged.