A UK senior council member has quit his party after insinuating a woman was too ugly to be raped in a Facebook post. 21-year old fashion student Serena Bowes had contacted local authorities after returning from a trip to Italy, where she was allegedly raped. The student said Italian police refused to believe her. The young student took to Facebook looking for advice and support when Liberal Democrat council member Philip Drury left disturbing comments on Facebook about the incident: ‘Not sure anyone would even want to think about it looking at her lol’. Drury later stepped down from his role as shadow cabinet leader of East Hampshire District Council, blaming ‘work pressure’ for his move. The councillor will now sit as an independent for the area's Whitehill ward. An independent investigation by the council found that no further action should be taken against Cllr. Drury because he was not acting as a councillor at the time the comments were made. Speaking about his post, Drury said tiredness and ‘working nights’ had led to the offensive comment: “I was excessively tired and was working nights. I had just come back from an excessive Chinese business trip – I was tired. “I will remain on the council. That is all I want to say until I release a press release.” Leader of the council, Ferris Cowper, released a statement about the incident, stating: “Although EHDC has now exhausted its legal options, the Council remains disappointed both with the actions of the councillor and also the effectiveness of the regulatory regime. “For the record and as you would expect, this council finds the crime of rape to be deeply deplorable not only because of the physical invasion but also the lasting psychological consequences. “Our only interest as a council would be to offer the victim all the sympathy and assistance possible.” The fashion student decided to waive her right to anonymity in the case, and is set to be extradited to Italy over the allegations.