COMPLAINTS against the Vale Mayor Fred Johnson, who came under fire earlier this year for making inappropriate jokes about refugees on Facebook, will not be investigated by the Public Services Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman investigator has responded to two complaints about Councillor Johnson's conduct, saying that although she does not condone the posts - two of which appear to mock refugees - she does not believe they form a breach of his code of conduct.

Citing Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, investigator Annie Ginwalla said that Councillor Johnson is entitled to protection under free speech laws.

"Even if [his opinions] may be shocking or offensive to some people he nevertheless has the right to express them," she said.

"Whilst the Ombudsman does not condone the posts made by Councillor Johnson, and consider that he may have personally brought himself into disrepute in making them, I do not consider on the evidence that his posts have been sufficiently offensive to amount to a breach of the code.

"While recognising that Councillor Johnson has publicly apologised for making the posts and has closed his Facebook account, i do intend to write to him to remind him of his obligations under the code of conduct."

After complaints were made about his posts in September, Councillor Johnson apologised for any offence and said he would be closing the account and reviewing his online activity.