A Tory councillor who tweeted about "gypsies" and a "hard border" in anger at Ireland's failure to award the UK any points in the Eurovision Song Contest has resigned.
Nick Harrington, a member of Warwick District Council, had been suspended for six months by the Conservative council leader but quit yesterday.
His tweet, after the UK's Lucie Jones received 'nul points' from Ireland last Saturday, read: "#Eurovision 2017 thanks Ireland. You can keep your f***ing gypsies! Hard border coming folks!"
The tweet, and the account it came from, were later deleted.
Police are investigating and are treating what happened as a suspected hate crime.
Mr Harrington has also quit his position as a magistrate in Warwickshire.
In a statement, he apologised "unreservedly" for causing "considerable offence to both members of the Traveller community and to those of Irish heritage".
"My comments about the Irish border were also foolish," he said.
"Therefore it is with deep regret that I formally tender my resignation as member for Stoneleigh and Cubbington ward effective immediately."
Mr Harrington also apologised to athlete Christine Ohuruogu for an "ill-judged" comment he made last year on Facebook likening her to a black scarecrow.
