TWO Cleeve Prior parish councillors have been interviewed by police about alleged racist remarks made against gipsies at a meeting in July.

Chairman Richard Lasota and vice chairman Richard Beddows were questioned under caution by Cambridgeshire officers at Evesham police station last Friday.

The pair had been invited to speak on the history of Cleeve Prior at a meeting in Cottenham, Cambridgeshire on July 13.

The meeting was held by Cottenham Residents Association relating to the illegal occupation of land by travellers. A member of the public at the meeting made an official complaint to the police the following day. Speakers and members of the audience were accused of using insulting language against the travelling community during the event.

Mr Beddows said in a letter being sent to parish councillors in Wychavon's area: "On Friday 1 October at about 7pm I received a phone call from Cambridge police informing me they wished to interview both myself and Richard Lasota, regarding the meeting held in Cottenham on the 13th.

"They said they would be arriving on the following Friday to place us both under arrest." In the event the arrest was not implemented but both men were interviewed. The interviews were taped, pending further possible action to be taken.

Cambridgeshire police spokesman Keely Smith said: "Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary launched an immediate investigation into the claim. Until inquires have been completed it would be inappropriate to comment further. The complainant is being kept fully informed on the progress of the investigation."

Mr Lasota declined to comment.