The victim of an assault at the hands of a Silsden parish councillor has made a public demand for him to resign his position on the council.

Norman Rushworth, 71, made his demand at a meeting of the parish council last Thursday, when he was given five minutes to speak during public adjournments.

Accompanied by his 67-year-old wife Audrey, Mr Rushworth, of Bradley Road, said: "We think Councillor Atkinson should resign. He has a record now. He was convicted in the court on November 28. It doesn't look good for him to be on the council.

Parish council clerk Joanne Conway explained to the Rushworths, who were assaulted by Cllr Chris Atkinson in September 1999, that under parish council laws Cllr Atkinson was not under any obligation to stand down. She said: "Parish councillors don't have to resign unless they have been convicted of an offence and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.

Last month Cllr Atkinson was found guilty of two counts of assault after the incident the previous year. He was ordered to pay costs and compensation amounting to £250 and given a conditional discharge for a year.

Cllr Atkinson was not present at last week's meeting, but fellow councillor Paul Bromley spoke up for him in his absence. He said: "There's 100 per cent support for Cllr Atkinson as far as I'm concerned."

Parish council chairman Cllr Geoff Whittaker said: "There is a requirement for a councillor to resign if they are declared bankrupt or are convicted of a criminal offence that requires a prison sentence of three months. In my view it's up to the councillor concerned, but there's no requirement for him to resign."

Speaking to the Keighley News, Cllr Atkinson said: "I have no intention of resigning whatsoever, no intention at all. "