A suspended Labour group councillor has received criticism from former colleagues after engaging in “Nazi scum” chants during a recent counter-protest.

Cllr Satinder Shokar (Ind) has been accused of using language which has “no place” in the Labour party by Medway Labour MP and fellow councillor, Tristan Osborne.

Cllr Shokar was attending a counter-protest in Chatham on August 7 which was responding to far-right demonstrations across the country which have been taking place in the last week.

He was part of a crowd chanting slogans including “Nazi scum off our streets” which fellow councillors have taken issue with.

The Chatham and Aylesford MP and Labour councillor Tristan Osborne said: “People have to be very mindful of the language they are using because some of that is inappropriate.

“The language which has been alleged to have been used is inappropriate and it’s unfortunate, and I think he needs to reflect on that.

“There are disciplinary process which are on-going and I suspect this will be fed into that process.”

He reportedly told the BBC “there is no place for this kind of language” in the Labour Party.

However Cllr Shokar, in a statement in a personal capacity, said: “As a British Punjabi Sikh I have dealt with and faced racism throughout my life including being called a terrorist and asked if I have just got off a boat, etc.

“I have been a long-standing anti-racist campaigner. I am currently secretary of Medway Stand Up to Racism and have supported them on many occasions with demonstrations and peaceful protests.

“In line with my strong beliefs and anti-racist values I attended the counter protest to show my support and solidarity to all ethnic minority groups in Medway and communities like mine.

“I have been horrified by the recent events we have seen up and down the country which have been underpinned by racism, thuggery, and discrimination.

“The violence has included attempts to burn down hotels, destroy businesses and property and abuse innocent people in the streets.

“This has left me, my family and friends feeling worried and scared about the future.

“It is difficult not to draw parallels with this behaviour and that of fascist groups of the past such as the Nazis and last night there was a display of the Nazi symbol, Nazi salutes and shouts of Seig Heil.

“The language I alongside others at the protest used responded to that.

“I will continue to fight to protect minority communities and work towards a harmonious and peaceful society in my own area, the country and the world.”

The leader of the opposition, Cllr George Perfect (Con), has written to the leader of the council, Vince Maple (Lab), asking him to ensure past and present members adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Life.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: “Councillors have a duty to uphold the Nolan Principles of Public Life, including the principle of leadership.

“Councillors were advised not to attend any counter protest last night,, which was ignored by Cllr Shokar.

“Councillors must show positive leadership in their behaviour, and the Labour Party have a duty to uphold this.”

Cllr Shokar said the police did not advise him not to attend, but spoke with him to ensure the protests occurred safely and peacefully.

However, not all felt the language used by Cllr Shokar was inappropriate, with some saying it was a reasonable reaction as part of the counter-protest.

Local Lib Dem member, Onyx Rist, who was also among the counter-protestors, tweeted: “Calling fascism Nazi (which it is) shouldn't be berated. Cllr Shokar should be commended for what he did last night.”

Ashwin Bolar, @Horrificmedium on X, formerly Twitter, said: “Do Nazis not like being called Nazis?”

Cllr Maple said councillors were held to a higher standard than regular members of the public, but Cllr Shokar should not be singled out.

He added it would be up to the central Labour Party to decide whether the chanting was incompatible with having the Labour whip restored.

He said: “The level of conduct expected of an elected Member of Medway Council should clearly be higher than what would be expected from a regular member of the public.

“Following advice from the police, I had requested that members of my group didn't attend any counter protest, in order to make their work easier.

“It will be up to the Labour Party HQ as to whether joining in with this chanting will be incompatible with having membership restored for Cllr Shokar.

“However, out of a large group of protestors, I am concerned that a bulk of responsibility for this chanting is being place on Cllr Shokar, one of the only ethnic minority faces on the recorded footage.

“As someone with Punjabi heritage, he will have had racist insults that don't precisely fit his background levelled at him his whole life, and I am sure he will rightly be worried that recent events will have given the green light to those using the fascist tactics of fear and intimidation, which we have recently seen elsewhere in the country to escalate this hatred.”

Cllr Shokar is currently an independent councillor after being suspended from the Labour group in February pending the completion of an investigation into an alleged incident in December last year.

He and Cllr Stephen Hubbard, also a Labour councillor who now sits as an independent, were suspended from the group and are awaiting a final decision about whether they will regain the whip.