A COUNCILLOR hit back at claims of racism after remarks he made in a meeting caused a storm of protest.

Abergavenny Lib Dem councillor Douglas Edwards was reprimanded by his party for using the phrase "niggers in the woodpile" during a debate. Councillor Edwards, 72, used the phrase in an attack on auctioneers Amal during a Monmouthshire co uncil cabinet meeting about the future of Abergavenny cattle market.

He was ordered to retract the statement by council leader Andrew Crump and was later reprimanded by local Lib Dem leader Phil Hobson.

But Labour councillors Armand Watts, Pam Birchall and Mike Smith walked out of the meeting in protest as soon as the debate had closed. Councillor Watts said: "Everyone looked stunned, and started saying 'you can't say that.'

"I couldn't believe what I'd heard. It was a very racist thing to say. I said I was disgusted and left in protest."

But Councillor Edwards told the Free Press he is not a racist.

He said: "I have a black daughter-in-law from Zimb-abwe and three mixed-race grandchildren.

"As soon as I said the words, I knew I had done wrong and apologised instantly and unreservedly.

"It was something said accidentally in the heat of the moment."

Councillor Edwards' son Peter, 42, lives in Toronto, Canada with his Zimbabwean wife Hazel.

The couple have two mixed-race children of their own, Ceinwen, eight, and Ieuan, five, and Hazel has a son Pierre, 15, from a previous relationship.

Mr Edwards has been a town councillor for 15 years and a county councillor for one and a half years, representing the Grofield ward in Abergavenny.

He said: "I totally reject any claims of racism. There's no way I would be a racist."

Cabinet leader Councillor Crump said: "He was making a point about the auctioneers with respect to the Abergavenny market.

"In his opinion, the auctioneer had been difficult.

"I think he used an old-fashioned expression, it wasn't intended to be racist."

Councillor Phil Hobson confirmed Councillor Edwards was reprimanded for his mistake.

"He was advised that the phrase was unacceptable and has already withdrawn his remark and apologised. I issued a reprimand which has subsequently being confirmed in writing."

At the meeting Monmouthshire's cabinet agreed to take control of the plans for a replacement livestock market in Llanfoist instead of auctioneers Amal.

The council hope to get planning permission for the market before March.

The phrase 'niggers in a woodpile' is a 18th Century phrase, which stems from slaves who when they tried to escape would hide in woodpiles.