SENIOR Labour politicians in a borough have called for a councillor to be suspended by the Tories over allegedly sending an anti-Semitic message.

The party's candidate in Pendle County Cllr Azhar Ali and council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal have both urged Conservative Central Office to take action.

They made their demand after a message allegedly sent on Facebook Messenger by Bradley ward's Cllr Mohammad Aslam was circulated on social media.

It appears to show him telling his correspondent: 'Everyone says you have a mind of Jews'.

Cllr Aslam denies being anti-Semitic and says he does not recall sending any such message.

He has also been defended by Pendle Conservative candidate and Foreign Office minister Andrew Stephenson.

Cllr Ali said: "This is a shocking message. Anti-Semitism has no place in any party.

"Mr Stephenson should immediately ensure Cllr Aslam is suspended by the Conservative Party."

Cllr Iqbal said: "Cllr Aslam should be suspended from the party now. Prime Minister Boris Johnson intervene at once."

A spokesman for Cllr Aslam, who is recovering from knee operation, said: "He is in no way anti-Semitic or racist.

"This was a private message on Facebook Messenger.

"Cllr Aslam does not recall sending it. His Facebook has been hacked in the past.

"If he did send it, it would appear to have been taken out of context and Cllr Aslam would need to see the full conversation to comment further."

Mr Stephenson said: "Cllr Aslam is not anti-Semitic. The Labour Party is whipping up this rubbish to hide the rampant anti-Semitism in their own ranks."

Cllr Aslam was formerly a Labour member of Nelson Town Council."