London Durand Academy

A former Conservative Party councillor will not face prosecution over "thoughtless and extremely foolish" remarks about immigrant children in the Mail on Sunday.

John Cherry drew condemnation after claiming that Pakistani children would fail to "rise to the top" and some nationalities were "uncertain" what hard work is about.

The ex-Chichester councillor was responding to proposals by a south London academy to open an Eton-style boarding school in the West Sussex countryside.

Today a force spokesman said: "Following police inquiries into this matter, it has been concluded that there is no evidence of a criminal offence having been committed, and therefore no action is being taken by police".

Read more: Police investigate councillor's race comments

The National Audit Office has found that the Durand Academy in Stockwell was given £17 million to create England's first free boarding school by ministers without them looking into its long-term viability.

A councillor has resigned from the Conservative Party after making "thoughtless and extremely foolish" comments about immigrant school children.

John Cherry made the remarks about a South London academy's plan to open an Eton-style boarding school in the West Sussex countryside.

The Chichester councillor claimed Pakistani children would fail to "rise to the top" and some nationalities were "uncertain" what hard work is about.

Mr Cherry has apologised saying:

"My remarks about Durand Academy, as reported in the Mail on Sunday, were plainly wrong. They were thoughtless and extremely foolish. I unreservedly apologise and withdraw them. I very much regret the distress this must have caused."