THE Mayor of Swindon, Nick Martin, survived a historic vote of no confidence on Thursday evening after accusations the mayor made derogatory remarks about people with learning difficulties earlier this year.

In October, during a presentation by a council officer into issues faced with adults with disabilities, he is alleged to have said: “They aren’t still letting those mongols have sex with each other are they?”

The Labour Party argued that this demeaned the position of Mayor and that Coun Nick Martin (Con, Shaw) should no longer hold the title.

He offered his resignation if the complaints against him were dropped but this was rejected and he will now face a standards hearing next year.

However, his supporters say while this investigation is underway due process should be followed and that any vote of no confidence would be to effectively find the mayor guilty before proven so.

An amendment of this nature was passed by the council and the mayor kept his place in office after edging the vote on the altered motion 27-25.

Now we are asking the people of Swindon if this was the right decision.