BRECON’S mayor Manny Trailor claims a video on The Sun’s website of him using “cocaine” actually shows him taking a harmless protein product called creatine.

Cllr Trailor is shown in the 20-second clip sniffing a line of white powder on a desk and saying: “Can you imagine if this was real coke?”

But the town’s first mixed race mayor, who was installed into the role last month, said the video is merely a “childish prank” and he is “really embarrassed” by it.

He says the video was used against him two years ago when he first became a Labour town councillor and he says “it is no surprise” the video has resurfaced now that he has become the town’s mayor.

The 36-year-old hotelier believes the video is being circulated again in a bid to smear his name by racists who do not want to see a black mayor in Brecon.

Cllr Trailor, who is the business owner of the Castle Hotel in Brecon, says the substance in the video is creatine powder used by bodybuilders.

The video of Cllr Trailor which was featured on The Sun's website:

The video has been seen by police and rival councillors and everyone accepted his explanation that the ‘coke’ was a joke. He said: “It was a silly, childish prank and I should have known better. I’ve never taken cocaine and I spend some of my time helping people with drug problems.”

The Nottingham-born mayor, who is of Jamaican and Portuguese descent, said: “It is malicious, vindictive and racist.

“It is no coincidence that the video is doing the rounds again now that I am mayor.

“There are people in the town who don’t like me because I’m black and successful in business.

“This is coming from a place of malice. There are people here who would like to see me out of town – I’ve had bullying letters using the ‘N’ word.”

Cllr Trailor claims the video fell into the wrong hands during a financial dispute with a former business partner.

He said: “I’m really embarrassed by it but I can assure everyone the powder is creatine, not cocaine.

“The video was used against me two years ago and I thought it had gone away.

“But clearly I have enemies who are using it to damage me.

“The video dates back to before I was mayor and deputy mayor – I didn’t have the same level of responsibility.

“It was filmed by a friend of mine as a prank and he will vouch for me – it’s not cocaine.”