A hearing into a councillor’s comments that golliwogs are not racist will take place behind closed doors.

Brighton and Hove city councillor Dawn Barnett, pictured, is to be hauled in front of the local authority’s standards board after a complaint from a member of the public.

It is alleged that the Conservative politician brought her office into disrepute when she made the statement. 

No specific reason was given for the ban. 

But officials have confirmed that the press and public will be barred from the hearing, which will take place in Hove Town Hall tomorrow.

A council spokeswoman said: “The hearing of the complaint by the Standards Panel will take place as a part II hearing. This means it will not be open to the public or the press.

“However, the decision of the panel and the reasons for the decision will be made public after the hearing.

“It was decided to hold the hearing in private after taking into account all the circumstances and in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972.”

The initial hearing last month was cancelled after Coun Barnett fell down a flight of stairs in the town hall.