A city councillor whose racist tweets were exposed by a regional daily website has resigned.

Birmingham city councillor Rick Payne, pictured, penned a series of insulting and Islamophobic social media posts which came to light after an investigation by Birmingham Live, the sister website of the Birmingham Mail.

In one exchange with disgraced extremist Tommy Robinson, he referred to Pakistanis as ‘disgusting inbred medieval filth’ and ‘dirtier than pigs’

Posting on X today, Birmingham Live editor Graeme Brown hailed the importance of the local press saying Mr Payne had quit “because of journalism.”

Wrote Graeme: “This is what journalism’s about – telling you what you need to know, even if those in power don’t want to.

“He quit – because of journalism. Look after journalists. They look after you.”

The investigation by Birmingham Live politics and people editor Jane Haynes was carried out in conjunction with anti-extremist group Hope Not Hate.

In a report published on Tuesday, they revealed the 59-year-old councillor had referred to Islam as a “dangerous religion” and called on people to ‘take Britain back’.

He also spoke of a ‘civil uprising’ on the way and predicted that ‘blood will spill’.

Within 24 hours of the website publishing the story, Mr Payne resigned his £18,876 a year post representing the ward of Kingstanding.

He had earlier been suspended from the city council’s Conservative group pending further inquiries.

Mr Payne, an Army veteran, said he was ‘deeply sorry’ for the posts and said he had been ‘suffering from mental health issues’.

He has now deleted the account and pledged to take up offers of specialist support.