A colleague of a Mayor involved in a video snorting scandal has defended him.

Alan Shirley, a friend of Neil Rix and fellow independent on Dover Town Council, says that he is an "exemplary" Mayor and people should not hastily judge him.

Cllr Rix is in a political and moral storm after being filmed snorting an unknown substance in a toilet cubicle.

Cllr Shirley said: "Neil Rix has been an excellent councillor for the five years that I have known him and, I am often informed, for the four years prior to that.

"I know first hand that he is proving to be an exemplary Mayor, bringing much needed energy and innovation to the table for the sole benefit of the town.

"I stand by him and his family at this time. This town needs people like Neil and I encourage commentators not be premature in their judgement."

The explosive footage was widely circulated on social media on Tuesday night. Cllr Rix told KentOnline that he was the victim of blackmail and that police are investigating.

Dover Town Council had at first stood by him but later yesterday hardened its attitude saying it was taking the matter "very seriously" and was asking for advice from the Kent Association of Local Councils.

Cllr Rix agree to refer himself to Dover District Council's monitoring officer for a possible breach ofthe Code of Conduct.

He has already told Kent Online that the film was taken more than six years ago, that someone had spiked his beer with drugs and he did not know he was being filmed.

He said he did not know what the substance he was sniffing was but it that it could have been something as harmless as sherbet.

Many town councillors did not want to talk about the scandal when it first broke but one of the first, Gordon Cowan, said he should consider his position.

Many commentators on the KM Group's social media outlets gave harsh reactions.

Former Dover district and county councillor Keith Sansum said: " The reputation of Dover Town Council is on the line on this one.

"Cllr Rix should seriously consider his position the council itself should decide if he's fit to hold such office."

One commentator told Cllr Rix via Kent Online: "Why don't you do the right thing and resign your post immediately?"

Others on social media defended the Mayor. Sue Frost said on Facebook: "Get over it and let him get on with the excellent job he has started."