A councillor has been cautioned by police for leaving a voicemail on a colleague's phone saying 'with a bit of luck you'll get Aids'.

Thanet Tory Ken Gregory received the caution for malicious communications after leaving the message on Cllr John Worrow's mobile.

He has also been suspended by the Conservative group on Thanet District Council.

Cllr Worrow, who is bisexual and an independent councillor, told last week how he was "shocked and distressed" to receive the voicemail message.

In a statement today he called it a "hate crime".

Cllr Worrow said: "I received a telephone call from an inspector from Kent Police confirming that Councillor Ken Gregory is the person who committed a homophobic hate crime against me in the form of a voicemail.

"As Mr Gregory cannot possibly remain a member of the Conservative Party or a member of Thanet District Council after saying 'With a bit of luck you'll get aids', I feel that a caution should be punishment enough.

"My colleagues and I hope that this has not triggered a hate campaign."

He added: "There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for that kind of behaviour towards anyone regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexuality and I expect a full apology at the next council meeting."

Thanet Conservative leader Cllr Bob Bayford said: "It has come to my attention that Cllr Ken Gregory has received a police caution for an offence against another council member.

"The TDC Conservative Group demands the highest standards of conduct from its members and I have decided to suspend group membership from Cllr Gregory with immediate effect, pending further consideration of the situation."

Cllr Worrow (pictured left) was elected to Thanet District Council in 2011 as a Conservative councillor for Birchington South, but in December he opted out of the group.

He is now leader of the Independent group and chairman of the governance and audit committee.