The 26-year-old undertaker was rumbled when his fiancée Julie Smith tracked down the call girl agency after finding a number on his phone.

When the scandal broke Hawick Common Riding chiefs originally decided to back the Cornet Elect – but later changed their minds and said his appointment would not be confirmed on the traditional first Wednesday in May.

Yesterday Mr Robson – a former jockey – told TheSouthern he had made a mistake and that he and Julie, who would have been Cornet’s Lass, were now no longer together.

He said the date had been made but later cancelled. And he told us: “This has been highly embarrassing for both our families and for that I apologise. I did something that was morally wrong, but physically I have done nothing.”

It was in September that he was approached and invited to be cornet. He went on: “I am a Hawick man through and through and from six to 16 when I went away to work I never missed a common riding. When I was asked to be cornet it was a huge delight. but the way things have panned out, that has now been taken away.

“I will not be cornet this year. The ultimatum that was given to me left me with no choice.”

He continued: “I explained it all to the committee and they originally backed me, but then all of a sudden they reversed their decision.

“There are loads of rumours going around the town, but the people who know me know the truth and have given me a great deal of support.”

But he stressed: “Whoever is made cornet this year will have my 100 per cent support.”

And he told us: “This has been blown out of all proportion and has caused upset to two families. But I have made my bed and I’ll have to lie in it.”

Former cornets will now meet to decide who should be given the coveted Green Jacket and carry the Banner Blue in June.

Chairman of the common riding committee Ronnie Nichol told TheSouthern yesterday morning: “This is not a great time for us. Meetings are planned, but there will be a new cornet. A statement will be issued later.”

Provost Zandra Elliot said it was not really a matter for the provost’s committee.

Bonchester Bridge farmer Henry Douglas was once the official Hawick Common Riding singer and an Acting Father.

He chairs the Ex-Cornets and Ex-Acting Fathers Association.

Speaking from a personal point of view, he believes the right decision has been taken.

He told us: “The common riding and the town is bigger than any individual. For hundreds of years Hawick has appointed a young callant to lead the town in its common riding. This has worked well and must continue to work well. It is up to the [common riding] committee to act in the best interests of the town. I believe they did so.”

This year’s Hawick Cornet will be named on Wednesday May 5.