Labour dismisses candidate for racist tweets

The Labour party dismissed one of its parliamentary candidates on Tuesday after he allegedly claimed on social media that Europeans should “eradicate Islam from our continent.” Trevor Merralls was due to contest the seat of Old Bexley and Sidcup, but was sacked after the offending tweet was linked to his account, @wellingboyblue.

The tweet in question was posted on 3 March 2014, along with several ‘likes’ on posts with racist statements about Muslims and Jews. However Mr. Merralls denied that the account was his, claiming it to be a smear tactic by the Conservative party.

Labour announced they would be revoking Mr Meralls’ ability to stand as a candidate after the party’s National Executive Committee claimed they were investigating “allegations of racism involving a prospective parliamentary candidate.” They said his replacement will be announced “in due course.”