No action will be taken against a councillor embroiled in race row, standards watchdogs have decided.

Jack Woodford, who told an Asian man in a Facebook debate to “get back to washing dishes in a curry house” will not face sanctions, Ashford’s standards committee has decided, because the remarks were made in his private life rather than in an official capacity.

But the committee has still condemned Cllr Woodford’s remarks and now wants borough members to undertake diversity training.

The borough council committee’s assessment panel made its decision after a private meeting last Friday.

Minutes from that, released today, said: “The panel is unable to give further consideration to the matter or take any further action in relation to it.”

But the panel said Cllr Woodford’s comments were “inappropriate and immoderate” and “fell well below the standards appropriate for an elected councillor.”

To prevent another incident like this the panel resolved that training should be arranged for councillors in diversity and internet usage.

Cllr Woodford, an Ashford Independent member for Wye, was embroiled in controversy after taking part in a Stop the BNP debate on the social networking site. He launched his tirade against British-born Asian Nunu Amin after himself being insulted during a heated discussion.

He refused to resign, despite calls from some Ashford councillors to do so, but publicly apologised for his outburst.

For the full story see this Thursday’s Kentish Express.