Rebel butcher Dave Stephens today apologised for racist comments made by his supposed supporters at a public meeting.

The rowdy rent-a-mob turned up at a Southend full council meeting last night to hear questions about the butcher's refusal to change from imperial to metric.

Mr Stephens, co-owner of Mandy's Chop Shop in Leigh Broadway, asked whether the council intended to prosecute if the shop did not comply with the Government ruling to stop selling goods in pounds and ounces.

When he did not get what he believed was a satisfactory answer, people in the public gallery jeered and shouted offensive remarks about the council not being English enough.

The mayor, deputy mayor and chief executive then left the council chamber and adjourned the meeting until the public gallery was cleared.

Mr Stephens said: "I had some customers, ex-servicemen and members of the UK Independence Party at the meeting supporting me.

"However there was also a rent-a-mob there that we did not know and they were swearing and shouting out racist comments. I would certainly distance myself from those remarks.

"I felt embarrassed because we lost the argument thanks to the thoughtless few saying things like that. There was no way I or my legitimate supporters would do that."

Mr Stephens also stood by his announcement that he intends to stand as an MP.

He said: "I would not want people like that rent-a-mob gang tarnishing my reputation or that of the English people. I am not a racist but I do feel our country is being sold down the river.

"The Conservative party is split down the middle and we need to make a stand."

Mr Stephens said his campaign was supported by true English patriots and he had not been contacted in any shape or form by racist groups such as the National Front.

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