CALLS for action to be taken against a community councillor after he described people in his neighbouring community as “feral” were made at a public meeting.

The comment by Prestonpans community councillor Calum Millar was posted on social media page Prestonpans For All as he responded to a 21-page document which challenged calls for a cruise port to be built at the former Cockenzie Power Station.

And it was raised at a meeting of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council last week by a member of the public who called for action to be taken. He told the meeting: “A community councillor in a post called us feral. As far as I am concerned it is an absolute disgrace.”

The community council confirmed it had sought advice from East Lothian Council about Mr Miller’s comments on social media but decided the best course of action was to ignore the statements.

It was pointed out that the comment had not been made on Prestonpans Community Council’s Facebook page, although Mr Miller did refer to himself as a community councillor when he posted it.

It appeared on the Prestonpans For All page, which supports the community council’s vision of a Port of Prestonpans being built at the former power station site.

The document Mr Miller was responding to was handed to the Scottish Government Reporter by a sub group of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council, called The Greenhills, as part of an ongoing investigation into a planning application by Inch Cape Offshore Limited to place a substation on the former power station site.

Speaking to the Courier, Mr Miller said he had nothing but respect for Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council but would not apologise for his comments.

He said: “I won’t apologise to anyone for pointing the finger at the Greenhills mob and calling them out for what they are and represent.

“It amazes me how they have the brass neck to impose themselves on local forums without any democratic mandate.

“I do, however, respect the viewpoint of Cockenzie and Port Seton Community Council and recognise their opinion as the legitimate voice of their community. I, however, am not accountable to them for anything I say or do. I’m accountable to the community of Prestonpans for my actions and nobody else.”