A Havering councillor accused of inciting racist abuse against a restaurant owner has denied the allegations.

Cllr Graham Williamson was named as the subject of a complaint when a Havering Council licensing panel heard what happened after Alaba Ibikunie Ologun applied for a drinks licence for BK90 Restaurant and Lounge in Elmer Gardens, Rainham.

During the meeting, Mr Ologun claimed the South Hornchurch ward councillor had orchestrated a campaign against the licence that led to racial discrimination, abuse and threats of violence towards him, his family and business on Facebook.

He said Cllr Williamson had wrongly described his restaurant as a community centre on a Facebook post, advising residents to object and suggesting the grounds they should use.

He also claimed to have a screenshot of Cllr Williamson telling residents the most effective objection would be to make allegations of anti-social behaviour and to “hide” and take photographic evidence.

Cllr William objected to these accusations in a statement sent to the Recorder. He said: “I feel for Mr Olgun if he has received any abuse, racial or otherwise, as it is morally unforgivable and no doubt illegal."

But he added Mr Ologun has “no justification” for blaming his councillors and residents who have simply expressed “legitimate planning/licensing concerns” over a restaurant that is set to open in a “quite residential area with limited parking”.

He added that no resident or ward councillors has ever mentioned the race of the applicant, which he said was “irrelevant”.

And he said he is “disappointed” that Mr Ologun did not contact him or his fellow South Hornchurch councillor, Natasha Summers, since the application went into planning stage last July.

He said: “We have invited him to do so at any time in the future.”

A decision on Mr Ologun’s licence application has not yet been taken.