A former Tory councillor who branded all gay people paedophiles has been found guilty of bringing his position into disrepute.

The Standards Board for England made the announcement following their investigation into Peter Willows.

After the decision Mr Willows said: "I wonder if the police would have been so eager to prosecute me if I had a brown face."

The former Hangleton councillor was forced to resign from Brighton and Hove City Council following a storm of protest over the remarks at a mayor-making reception in May 2006.

The 76-year-old made the comments to fellow councillor Paul Elgood and James Ledward, the editor of the city's GScene magazine.

A decision was taken to prosecute him under section five of the Public Order Act and he was later convicted of using abusive or insulting words likely to cause alarm or distress.

But Mr Willows was cleared in February on appeal.

Recorder Ann Arnold concluded that Mr Willows had not intended for his remarks to be insulting and said she was concerned he was not offered a caution for a first offence.

After the remarks were made, Councillor Paul Elgood and former council leader Simon Burgess reported the incident to the Standards Board, which delayed its investigation until the conclusion of the legal process.

Mr Willows said: "I did not bring my office into disrepute.

"I never had a problem with the gay community.

"It was a set up as they wanted me out of the council.

"I wonder if the police would have been so eager to prosecute me if I had a brown face."

Sussex Police said officers investigated all reported allegations of racist and homophobic behaviour and Mr Willows had been charged following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Jennifer Rogers, the case investigator, said: "The ethical standards officer took the view that ex-councillor Willows had attended the mayor's reception in his official capacity of the as a councillor, and during the reception he was performing the functions of a councillor.

"The ethical standards officer considered that ex-councillor Willows' remarks were sufficiently unreasonable and offensive to be capable of reducing public confidence in the office of councillor.

"The ethical standards officer considered that ex-councillor Willows should have known that he was speaking within the hearing of gay men when he said something to the effect that "all gays are paedophiles"."

She also found he had "failed to treat with respect the two people who heard his remarks".

But Ms Rogers concluded that as he was no longer a sitting council it would be an inappropriate use of public money to take further action.

Former council leader Simon Burgess said: "Making a false association between being gay and being a paedophile is about as offensive as it gets.

"For it to come from someone who has been elected to serve the whole community at an official function is inexcusable.

"I am pleased that the Standards Board has recognised the seriousness of former Councillor Willows' actions."

Coun Elgood added: "I am pleased that the final resolution of this issue has been made.

"The findings reflect the offence caused by the remarks. Public servants must treat all people with respect and dignity."

Conservative councillor Mary Mears, leader of the council, was unavailable for comment.