A Conservative councillor accused of saying gays were all paedophiles has been interviewed by police.

Peter Willows, who represents Hangleton and Knoll ward on Brighton and Hove City Council, was widely criticised when he allegedly made the remarks at a civic function.

Mr Willows, 75, is believed to have gone voluntarily to Brighton Police Station, in John Street, yesterday where he gave a statement to officers investigating his remarks.

The police have also taken statements from people attending the function at a mayor's reception at the Royal Pavilion two weeks ago. The police investigation will focus on whether an offence has taken place under the Public Order Act.

The matter will be passed to the Crown Prosecution Service whose lawyers will decide whether the long-serving councillor should face criminal charges.

Among the 200 guests at the reception were councillors, council officers, representatives of the health service, emergency services including the police, and family and close friends of the new mayor.

When The Argus confronted Coun Willows he admitted he may have made the remarks but put his behaviour down to drunkenness.

A council spokeswoman said: "The alcohol purchased was wine at a cost of about £7 a bottle. The maximum allowance catered for is three glasses for those who drink. A large number drink fruit juice or other non-alcoholic beverages.

"As mayoral receptions only last an hour, most people, if they are drinking wine, only have one glass."

The funding for mayoral receptions comes from the council's civic hospitality budget, suggesting that Coun Willows was drinking on public money when the comment on gays is alleged to have been made.

Gay activists reacted with anger to the Conservative Party's response after Mr Willows' alleged comments were made public. The Conservative Group on the city council decided only to suspend him from council committees pending the outcome of the investigation and he continues to represent his ward for the party.

Leading members of the gay business community last week called for his resignation.

Almost 30 well-known business people, including hoteliers, pub and club owners, signed an open letter to The Argus which stated: "He is not fit to make decisions which affect the city's 35,000 LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) population."

Mr Willows was unavailable for comment yesterday.