A COUNCILLOR has defended himself against allegations he shared racist material on Facebook.

Cllr Alan Hosker, who represents Hapton on Burnley Council, said a post containing a video of police officers outside Turf Moor during Burnley FC's friendly game against Hanover 96 in August, was shared onto his public Facebook account to ‘protect the public’.

An official complaint was made to Burnley Council after the video allegedly contained swearing and racist language against German fans.

However the UKIP councillor said he was unaware the video contained the racist language because he had no sound on the device he was using and did not react to the post.

Cllr Hosker, who runs Alan’s 1st Choice Taxi company, said: “The video was shared by an employee of mine to let people know there was a lot of police activity outside Turf Moor.

“We were trying to protect the public as we were told there was clashes between fans and there was a lot of police about and we didn’t want people going near the ground if they didn’t need to.

“I was unaware there was audio to the post as described in the letter of complaint to the council.

“These complaints have been distressing.”

Police took the decision to abandon the match at half-time after an officer and three stewards were injured following the disorder, which occurred after fans of the German Bundesliga side charged towards home supporters during the first half at Turf Moor.

Fans of the German side were also alleged to have thrown seats into the home section of the stand just minutes before the half-time whistle.

A man was arrested but later released without charge.

Cllr Hosker will attend a meeting today with Burnley Council to discuss the complaint.

He said: “I want to put this straight because I am being accused of something I did not do.

“I would never share or speak racial language.

“I am a councillor who cares and respects his residents and everyone in the borough.

“I want to get this straightened out.”

Burnley Council refused to comment.