Conservative local election candidate resigns over anti-Muslim tweets

The Mirror and BBC News report on the resignation of Conservative candidate, David Bishop, who was standing in the London Borough local elections for Brentwood South in Essex, after anti-Muslim tweets he posted and retweeted were brought to light.

Bishop tweeted the message, “It’s good to be anti-Islam” and retweeted a message about criminal gangs engaged in child sex exploitation saying, “Islam ‘the religion of peace’ & rape”.

Bishop, in a statement, apologised ‘unreservedly’ for the messages adding, ‘I have let myself and my party down’.

The Mirror also reports on anti-Muslim tweets by alleged Conservative party activist in Croydon, Stephen Lees.

Lees wrote on Twitter: “Every single Muslim should be expelled from this country – not deported – expelled, and every mosque demolished.”

The Croydon party association however claims Lees is not a member of the Conservative Party nor a party activist and denies his having ‘any formal ties’ to the party.

Furthermore, BBC News uncovers the former BNP links of sitting Conservative councillor on South Kesteven District Council, Dr Peter Moseley.

A spokesman said Moseley had been a BNP member for a brief period over a decade ago and regretted joining the party.