A NEWLY-elected councillor whose right-wing party called for a ban on mixed-race marriages before the local elections is of African descent.

Pub landlord Michael Johnson, 45, took the Fernhurst ward on behalf of the England First Party (EFP) whose leader Mark Cotterill also claimed the Meadowhead seat in last week's local elections.

The EFP's manifesto has called for a ban on mixed-race marriages, black footballers playing for England, aid to Africa and virtually all immigration to England.

But confirming her son's grandfather was from Cameroon, his mum, Brenda Coughlin, 68, today insisted: "My son is not a racist."

Coun Johnson, landlord of Uncle Jack's pub in Lower Darwen, refused to discuss his ancestry saying: "My family background has nothing to do with this," and denied his party was racist.

He also said the policies relating to football players and mixed-race marriages had now been withdrawn from the manifesto, which is published on-line, and were added by mystery party members.

Coun Cotterill said: "I have not even looked at the manifesto."

Asked whether he stands by the policies which remain on the site he said: "If that's what Michael has worked on with the webmaster then yes."

He added: "We are not a racist party. A racist is someone who hates another person simply because they are of different race or colour.

"That's certainly not what me, Michael or anyone I know in this party are about."

Mrs Coughlin, of Darwen, said: "I know he's not a racist. Whether he's got far-right views you'd have to speak to him.

"He stood for issues in this area and people voted for him because of that."

Asked about her son's background she confirmed: "His grandfather was from Cameroon, born in Cameroon."

Coun Johnson, married to his wife of six months Jacqui, said: "I have got nothing to hide, the party has got nothing to hide.

"We are an English nationalist party not a racist party."

He said opposition claims his party were "racist" was "pathetic" and "sour grapes".

Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the borough has branded the party "disgusting racists", Blackburn MP and Leader of the Commons Jack Straw claimed they were simply "the BNP in disguise" and leading Labour councillor Andy Kay, who successfully defended his seat, has also labelled the party racist.

But Coun Johnson denied the accusations.

"People play the colour card all the time. If you were born in England and you live in England it doesn't matter what colour you are, you're English and for us that's where we stand.

He added: "My own neighbours are Asian and close friends of ours, we went to their wedding. To say we are racist is pathetic."

His party pledged on its manifesto, which still appeared on the party's website on the day of the elections, that "marriage between a subject of non-European decent and an ethnic white will not be allowed".

But Coun Johnson insisted the statement had been put on the website without his consent by a mystery person.

"Somebody got access to the website, we don't know who. How they got access to it we don't know.

"That was something put in four years ago. I don't agree with it, Mark (party leader Mark Cotterill) doesn't agree with it. It's a stupid comment."

On the manifesto pledge that "only white players" should play for the national football team Mr Johnson again blamed a mystery member for including it on the site.