Councillors chose to duck the issue of 'racist' tweets posted by Deputy Provost Mary Kilpatrick.

In March, the conservative member had retweeted a message from another account which hit out at Ramadan after stories of school exams being delayed by the Islamic first month of fasting.

But two-thirds of councillors voted down a motion on the issue.

Cllr Kilpatrick's job was at stake after she retweeted comments from @BanningTheBurka which has over 21,500 followers which read: "Absolutely ridiculous that exams are being pushed back due to Ramadan. Children should not be fasting in the first place!"

Another comment she shared said: "I don't have anything against the Headscarf. It is not a security risk. The Burka speaks for itself. #BanTheBurka."

Last week councillors Allan Dorans and William Grant brought a motion to South Ayrshire Council.

It stated: "That the Council agrees that specific Twitter messages retweeted by Councillor Mary Kilpatrick are disrespectful of Islam.

"They are not representative of the views of South Ayrshire Council, contrary to the Council's commitment to diversity and equality and not appropriate to be shared on social media by an Elected Member representing the people of South Ayrshire as Deputy Provost."

Councillor Dorans said: "This gives me absolutely no pleasure. I would like to thank Councillor Kilpatrick for her hard work and dedication to the council over the years as Deputy Provost. 

"I fully accept these comments were posted on a personal account but they are disrespectful to Islam. 

"She does have the right to hold these views as an individual but I do not think it is appropriate for the Depute Provost to re-tweet these views.

"We should be be encouraging tolerance and not squaring religious intolerance which creates more intolerance within the community. This is not about Councillor Kilpatrick being a good councillor or Deputy Provost.

"I ask you to consider if these retweets are disrespectful to Islam which I believe they are. Are they appropriate to share on social media?"

But the administration avoided debating a motion regarding the deputy Provost’s 'racist' twitter posts, by using a procedural voting tactic immediately closing down any debate. 

20 councillors to 10 voted to move onto the next item on the agenda. By the time the Ayr Advertiser went to press they had not been able to get in touch with cllr Kilpatrick for a response.