DORSET Police has said its investigation into comments made by a councillor is still ongoing, despite saying it had concluded no wrongdoing.

On Monday, the force said it was “satisfied” councillor Mark Howell’s remarks about illegal immigrants “were not racially motivated”.

But today is said its investigation into the BCP Council representative was still ongoing.

The comments were made at a Poole neighbourhood policing meeting on Thursday during a discussion about the use of the police helicopter

Cllr Howell, the former deputy leader of the council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he then said he “tended to assume that the port activity was related to illegal immigrants” due to it coinciding with the arrival of the Barfleur ferry.

But councillor Bobbie Dove, the council’s lead member for equalities, who was not at the meeting, said on Twitter Cllr Howell’s comment was “racist and xenophobic”.

She said “multiple sources” had confirmed he had said: “Every time I hear a helicopter in Poole town I assume it’s the police chasing an illegal immigrant from the port”.

Cllr Howell was reported to police through the council which is a third party reporting body. But he has also reported Cllr Dove, accusing her of “adjusting the wording to sound more off-the-cuff and inflammatory”.

On Monday, a police spokesman confirmed it had received a complaint but had concluded there had not been wrongdoing by Cllr Howell.

But on Tuesday the force said it had yet to conclude its consideration of the complaint.

The spokesman said: “Dorset Police received reports alleging inappropriate remarks made during a recent Poole councillor meeting and a hate incident has been recorded.

“An investigation is currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”