A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has been slammed for using foul and abusive language on Facebook — after his party made similar complaints about a UKIP member.

Bolton’s Lib Dems had reported the use of swear words from the Bolton UKIP official Facebook page — with the group stating that the post was written by member Noel Harris, who had accidentally posted as the official page.

Since then, it has been reported that Chris Amos, who is standing for the Lib Dems in the Rumworth Ward at next month’s elections, has been using foul and abusive words on his personal Facebook page.

One of the posts seen by The Bolton News involved Mr Amos using a highly offensive word several times in a row with another user.

Another post — complaining about BMW drivers — also used several swear words.

The Bolton Lib Dem group has said it does not condone the language used by Mr Amos, but argued that it was from a time before he had been selected as a candidate.

UKIP chairman, Little Lever councillor Paul Richardson said the level of profanity used by Mr Amos was “much higher on the scale of language” than that used by Mr Harris.

He said: “In popular perception, the words he has used are seen as much worse than in the UKIP post.

“I think they have messed in their own pot here, but it is for each party to decide who can stand for election.

“What I would say is that our vetting process is very thorough and scrutinises all social media posts to find anything that is unacceptable — this includes posts from before people were selected, these are not forgiven and forgotten.”

Mr Amos apologised for any offence his comments caused, but argued it is a different situation from material published by an official party page.

He added: “I understand that a certain restraint is required to be a councillor and apologise for any offence caused by my posts placed on my own, private, personal Facebook page.

“However there is a big difference between posting as an official representative of a party and posting on a personal Facebook page to friends and family.

“For UKIP to target me in this way shows that they can't touch the Lib Dems when it comes to policy.”

His party leader, Cllr Roger Hayes, said that his social media reaction may have stemmed from regular attacks Mr Amos receives online.

He said: "Chris has been a quite vocal campaigner against far-right activists in the EDL and BNP and as a result this has made him a target of abuse from some individuals who regularly attack him online in various forums — not only due to his fervent support for the Muslim and Hindu communities in Bolton but also quite disgusting transphobic abuse aimed at him and his partner.

"There is obviously a big difference between comments made by a party's official Facebook page and comments made on a personal wall to friends and family.

“We do however expect our candidates to behave in a respectful manner and do not condone the sort of language used by Mr Amos, albeit on his own personal Facebook page.

“I have spoken to Chris and understand that the comments shown were from a period prior to being selected as a candidate and he has reassured me that he understand such language is not becoming of a prospective councillor."