A COMPLAINT over a Conservative councillor’s ‘Hitler Youth’ comments has been submitted by Gloucestershire County Council’s Labour leader.

Cllr Lesley Williams (Stonehouse) submitted the complaint about Cllr Lynden Stowe yesterday after he drew parallels between Jeremy Corbyn and Adolf Hitler.

The Conservative councillor for Campden Vale, who is also cabinet member for economy, skills and growth, told Gloucestershire Live: "What he [Corbyn] is trying to do with some of the younger people - it's not dissimilar to Hitler Youth."

He made the comments in a social media post in response to Jeremy Corbyn’s speech at Glastonbury, he has since deleted the post.

Mr Stowe is the former leader of Cotswold District Council.

Cllr Williams said: “I am deeply troubled by these remarks and because they were so public, residents will be alarmed that a man who is in charge of the Gloucestershire economy and the promotion of apprenticeships in our schools could say something so crude and offensive.

“It flies in the face of every young person who voted for the first time last month.

“As a result I have submitted a complaint against Cllr Stowe over these unfortunate remarks to the monitoring officer, and I have notified the leader of the council of my unhappiness.

“The fact that he has yet to apologise just compounds his lack of foresight.

“I would encourage the leader of the council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, to consider whether Cllr Stowe’s promotion last May was a bit hasty, and consider if Cllr Stowe needs some time out to reflect on his inappropriate and hateful comments.”

The county council’s Labour group claims that residents have already been in touch to express their outrage and shock at the comments – it hopes the matter is taken seriously.

Lynden Stowe, speaking in a personal capacity, said: “There are parallels between Corbyn and Hitler – messianic leadership style, promises that can’t be fulfilled, and followers who try to suppress voices that disagree. 

"Add in a failure to deal with anti-semitism, and I find the whole situation very worrying. 

"I have worked with Labour councillors for many years and have no problems with them – I look forward to the day their party is led by someone with a similar approach."

Members of the Labour Group say that residents have been in touch to express their outrage and shock at Councillor Stowe’s comments.

It hopes that the council will "take this matter with the seriousness that it demands."

A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson said: "A complaint has been received and will be considered."