A POLICE probe has been launched after a "shameful" attack on the leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC). 

A video emerged on Holocaust Memorial Day comparing councillor John Williams to Adolf Hitler in a parody clip using a famous scene from the film Downfall and promotion footage for the proposed council merger between Taunton and West Somerset. 

There was an immediate angry backlash to the video after Lib Dem Cllr Jefferson Horsley shared the video on his Twitter page. 

Now, Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed that it has received a complaint reporting malicious communications on YouTube in relation to TDBC, and they are investigating the incident.

RELATED: "SHAMEFUL": Council leader's fury after being compared to Adolf Hitler in YouTube video on Holocaust Memorial Day

Cllr John Williams said in reaction to the video: “This tweet – published on Holocaust Memorial Day – is, frankly, beyond belief. It is totally unacceptable and goes far beyond the normal cut and thrust of debate.

“It is repulsive and shameful. While strongly held views can be accepted, to stoop to this horrific level of behaviour is to be condemned. There is no excuse and it is contemptible.

“The honourable course to take would be for this person to resign.

"We are proposing to create a single new, modern and fit-for-purpose council that will enable us to make savings of at least £3.1m for the taxpayer and help us to protect services valued by the community, cut red tape, reduce duplication and keep council tax bills low.

“This is about creating a new council that puts local people first and is fit for the 21st century.

“The two councils have been working well and very closely for three years but the increasing challenges on us mean we must to take this step to get the best for all our residents.

“The proposal to stand down the two existing councils and create the new, single authority, went through a detailed options process before local councillors made their decision, with a clear majority in favour of creating the new council.

“The final decision on the creation of a new council lies with the Secretary of State.”

After it was shared, a Twitter row broke out between Conservative Cllr Roger Habgood, Cllr Horsley and Independent Cllr Ian Morrell, with Cllr Habgood branding it “disgraceful” and Cllr Morrell replying sarcastically about the dangers of a dictatorial regime.

When the County Gazette contacted Cllr Horsley, he said he’d had a change of heart.

He said: “I have since deleted the Tweet as it was inappropriate and in poor taste. I have learnt a lesson from it.”

Leader of the opposition Lib Dems, Simon Coles, also condemned the video.

He said: “I find personal attacks deplorable. I think there is a very good reason people my age shouldn’t be on social media. I am not responsible for what other people put on their social media accounts.

“Personal attacks have no place. I wouldn’t like to see a personal attack on anyone, no matter who they are. We need to respect people.”