A FORMER Mayor of Horwich who allegedly called residents “dole dossers” on social networking website Facebook is to be reported to Bolton Council’s standards committee and is facing calls to resign.

Cllr Stephen Rock, who is standing for election this Thursday in Horwich North East, has denied making the comments himself and has slammed his opponents for playing “political dirty tricks”.

The Liberal Democrat candidate, who is also a town councillor in Horwich, said he was “disgusted” by people trying to discredit him so close to an election. Cllr Rock, who was out of work for more than 12 months after he lost the Horwich North East election in 2010, said: “Why would I be putting something like that on Facebook? I would be kicking myself. I know what it’s like being out of work.”

The youth worker, who is standing against Labour candidate Cllr Richard Silvester, said he believed someone may have hacked into his Facebook account.

One comment, made in March this year said: “All the lazy dole dossers are getting ready to party near us while I’m going to work to pay for them.”

Another comment stated: “Anybody else get £7 an hour for looking after 16-year-old brats all night? Need another job.”

Cllr Silvester said: “I am absolutely shocked by the comments.

“Cllr Rock has a duty of care and is meant to be supporting and looking after these vulnerable young people. His comments are completely unprofessional.

He has also made comments about residents of the Brazley estate whom I represent.

“There are many hard working families living on the estate but I know many are struggling because of the policies of his Government.”

Cllr Rock said: “I do work with 16 to 18-year-olds who have some behavioural issues.

“Sometimes you do put things on Facebook when you’re brassed off, but I didn’t put it in those words.

“This has been done for political reasons. Someone is trying to dirty things up. It is sad when people go to these lengths to try to discredit you.”

Mr Rock said he believed a person’s Facebook page should remain private and was for people to talk with friends.

He said he had not seen the comments on his page and would look at his privacy settings.

The comments were removed from his Facebook page yesterday and Mr Rock wrote: “Please be aware that someone is hacking into my account and putting comments on that I have not made. I think this is being done by political opponents.