A restaurant owner applying for a drinks licence accused councillors of "inciting" a campaign against his business that led to racist abuse and a death threat.

A Havering Council licensing panel met yesterday to decide whether Alaba Ibikunie Ologun should be allowed to serve alcohol until 11pm at his African restaurant, BK90 Restaurant and Lounge in Elmer Gardens, Rainham, which opened on March 18.

Since Mr Ologun applied for a licence on March 28, objections warned of anti-social behaviour, parking and litter problem in the “very residential” area.

But the restaurateur claims he has been the victim of an orchestrated campaign of opposition that had led to his family and business suffering racist abuse.

South Hornchurch ward councillor Natasha Summers told the meeting she had received more than 44 letters from neighbours, citing concerns over noise affecting the elderly and children.

She also questioned Mr Ologun’s claim that he did not know he had to apply for a licence, having worked at banks and a restaurant.

Fellow ward councillor Graham Williamson added that the council rejected a planning application in 2004 over noise and the premises only allowed to function between 8 am to 3 pm after an appeal.

But Mr Ologun said he had made an official compliant to Havering Council on April 24 about Cllr Williamson, alleging racial discrimination and inciting violence and abuse towards him, his family and business on Facebook.

He said Cllr Williamson had wrongly described his restaurant as a community centre on a Facebook post, advising residents to object and suggesting the grounds they should use.

He claimed to have a screenshot of Cllr Williamson telling residents the most effective objection would be to make allegations of anti-social behaviour and to “hide” and take photographic evidence.

And after Cllr Williamson and Cllr Summers distributed a leaflet to neighbours, warning that it was their "last chance" to object, he said he received numerous racist comments and messages.

One person posted online that their grandmother would be “turning in their grave” and Mr Ologun claimed other residents discussed arranging to strip him of his mortgage – although he did not have one.

Most shocking of all was an “appalling” phone call he claimed he had received from a private number “threatening his life” and claiming to know his address and his children’s school.

"In the background was another lady, screaming, 'We don't want f***ing black people', he claimed.

Mr Ologun said he reported the incident at Romford police station, but since then said he lives in fear and his wife and children have gone into “hiding”.

He said: “It’s shocking to know that the councillor that I voted for has now turned against me and has incited violence against me and my family and I have been feeling significantly unsafe as a result of this. It’s really, really sad.”

Cllr Natasha Summers denied the allegations and added that she is “very hurt and upset” about being called a racist.

She said “Graham Williamson, whom you are calling a racist, his wife is black. His children are mixed race, and no way is this a race issue.”

She said Mr Ologun never once came to them to them and had he done that, the councillors could have communicated between him and the residents.

Several residents spoke at the meeting, with one claiming that the restaurant illegally operated past 11 pm “on most days”, with people gathering and chatting outside and parked cars potentially blocking for emergency vehicles.

Another questioned why the shutters of the restaurant were often closed if people were eating inside. Some claimed that the premises served whisky and beer without a licence.

One person claimed more than six houses had gone on sale on the street since the restaurant had opened “because of what’s it’s going to be like”. He added: “I am going to go if that gets a licence too.”

Cllr Summers urged the council to seek legal consultation on the points listed on the leaflets and the fact that Mr Ologun had both his kitchens in the section that shuts at 3 pm. She asked: “I want to know how he is serving food after 3 pm.

"And is it a community centre or is it a restaurant? A lot of people have the question”.

Mr Ologun said the two sections of his premises had different opening hours, due to which one had its shutters down after 3 pm.

He claimed institute measures like installing CCTV, serving alcohol only to people sitting down for a meal, checking photo ID before serving alcohol, playing music at background levels.

He insisted he respected the law and said neither the fire brigade nor police had any objections to his application.

Cllr Jane Keane, who chaired the meeting, said a decision on the application will be made in five business days.