AN official complaint about a senior councillor's controversial Tweet about gay marriage has resulted in “no action” being taken.

Cllr James Malliff caused outrage last month by posting a message online saying: “We may as well legalise marriage with animals, crude I concede but no apology”.

Labour councillor Ian Bates lodged complaint, describing the remarks as “homophobic”.

But Wycombe District Council's Complaints Initial Assessment Sub-Committee said “the allegation if proven would not constitute a failure to comply with the code of conduct”, as Cllr Malliff was not acting in an official capacity.

Meanwhile, the member for Hazlemere South is currently suspended from the Conservative Party, which is also carrying out an investigation.

Sue Hynard, the branch secretary for Wycombe Conservative Association, said senior figures are set to discuss the matter at a meeting at the end of November.

Cllr Malliff, a Christian who is WDC's cabinet member for the Big Society, made the comments in response to a David Cameron speech in favour of gay marriage.

He has said his the message was 'misconstrued' and was intended to be about 'where the line should be drawn' on marriage.