A COUNCILLOR has said he will not be bullied into resigning after a petition was launched calling for him to do so.

Calls were made for Clr Robert Bleakley to resign after he was found to have run up a £2,418 phone bill on his authority mobile by calling sex chat lines and sending sexist text messages.

The petition was launched by Cadence Cafe director Ian Jackson along with members of the public and has received backing from councillors including Jo Platt, Jo Marshall, James Grundy and David Molyneux.

Clr Bleakley said: “I don’t intend to be bullied by a Labour lynch mob.

“I will continue to represent the best interests of the people of the Tyldesley ward and will respect their decision when I am up for re-election in 2016.

“It is the people of Tyldesley I work for not the Labour party.”

Clr Bleakley, whose phone and internet access has been removed, has apologised for what happened and is paying the money back but some feel that is not enough.

Mr Jackson told the Journal: "Tyldesley is a great place and I feel that Clr Bleakley has brought the town down. He is bringing it into disrepute with his comments and his remarks.

"We want a councillor who will work for the town."

Residents who support the petition were joined by councillors from all political parties and Leigh MP Andy Burnham in Tyldesley Market Square on Saturday morning to ask members of the public to sign the petition.

Mr Burnham said: "It is not about party politics, it is about basic respect for the people of Tyldesley and the reputation of the town.

"If nothing were to be done that sends a poor message to young people and especially young women.

"On the other hand, Clr Bleakley has had a difficult time and if he needs support he should get it but things can only move on if he does the right thing and resigns and restores some integrity to the democratic process."

To sign the petition online, visit change.org and search for Robert Bleakley.