A FORMER Taunton Deane councillor has been banned from public office for two years after offensive material, including a bestiality porn film, was discovered on his publicly funded laptop.

LibDem Andrew Woolley, of Norton Fitzwarren, who was elected to represent the Lyngford ward in 2007, resigned from the post in August this year under pressure from Taunton Deane Council leader Ross Henley after discoveries were made by the authority’s IT department.

Today Mr Woolley claimed he did not download the inappropriate material found on his council-issue machine.

A report published by local authority watchdog the Adjudication Panel for England this week says he admitted breaching the code of conduct.

The Panel issued the ban and published a report which describes how inappropriate material, including a porn film featuring bestiality, was downloaded to the machine.

Mr Woolley also admitted breaching council rules in allowing unauthorised people to use the laptop.

Mr Woolley told the Panel he found being a councillor ‘very stressful’ and was not going to stand again.

He told the County Gazette: “I’m innocent. I didn’t download the film. None of the inappropriate material was downloaded by myself – it’s downloaded automatically by the machine - so why should I get done for it?

“I really hate porn – it shouldn’t even be shown on the telly.”

Cllr Henley said: “As soon as I was told of the severity of this issue I advised Andrew Woolley to resign. The one good thing from this is that it shows the public that if councillors are found guilty of inappropriate action, they are dealt with.”

A by-election was held last month to replace Mr Woolley, with LibDem Nicci Court being returned.

To read the Adjudication Panel for England’s report into the matter, click on the Related Link below. The report contains the name of a porn film which some readers may find offensive.