A councillor suspended for allegedly Islamophobic comments made on a social media site will not face legal action.

The Conservative group suspended the Grange Ward councillor Chris Joannides' whip on Enfield Council in February 2013 after comments posted on his Facebook page were branded anti-Islamic.

According to reports at the time, Councillor Chris Joannides’ social network page contained material comparing Muslim burqas to dustbin bags and complaints that his job was getting in the way of his social life.

Cllr Joannides denied he was Islamophobic, saying he was from an ethnic minority himself and had spoken out against anti-Semitism.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service has now informed Cllr Joannides that he did not break the law and will not face any criminal charges.

He said: “I am very grateful for the tremendous support which I have consistently received from MP David Burrowes, and from the Enfield-Southgate Conservative Association over the past year, as well as from many fellow councillors who had stood by me throughout this unfortunate episode, and I am much in their debt.

“It has been humbling to have received such widespread support from members of the general public.”