A PARISH council has notified the police of "offensive" leaflets which appear to have been sent by a controversial former UKIP member, which it says may have stirred up racial hatred.

The leaflets claimed to inform people that about a dozen Syrian refugees will be rehomed in Stokesley and Great Ayton by Hambleton District Council.

They were written in the name of Tony Nixon, from nearby Great Broughton, who was forced out of UKIP for alleged racism.

He was suspended in 2013 when the party launched an investigation into anti-Muslim comments and racist pictures Mr Nixon is said to have posted online.

The North Yorkshire pensioner’s Facebook profile at the time also revealed he supported numerous right-wing groups, including local branches of the English Defence League (EDL).

The leaflet singles out Stokesley’s district councillor Andy Wake, claiming he supported the rehoming of refugees in Stokesley and Great Ayton.

It urges people to form a campaign against him and encouraged people to visit his home by printing his address in the leaflet.

The leaflet also contains several pages of anti-Muslim remarks.

Hambleton District Council has agreed to take a total of 28 refugees from camps bordering Syria, based on the population of its area.

But the council says it is not planning to rehome any refugees in Stokesley or Great Ayton.

It was one of seven councils in North Yorkshire which offered to host a total of 200 refugees over the next five years as part of Britain’s pledge to take 20,000 people displaced from the war-torn country.

The leaflets have been delivered by hand to homes in Stokesley and Great Ayton over the past few weeks, which Stokesley Parish Councillor Bryn Griffith said some people found disturbing.

The parish council has passed on the leaflet to police, who are currently investigating.

Cllr Griffith urged anyone else offended by the leaflet to do the same and pass the publication on to the North Yorkshire force.

“Some people have found the leaflets threatening and others are finding them offensive,” said Cllr Griffith.

“I’d say to people in the parish, if you do find it offensive, then let the police know.”

Cllr Griffith said in some instances people have come forward to offer support for any refugees and offer their professional services to help teach English.

  • The Northern Echo attempted to to contact Mr Nixon for a comment, but he did not respond.
  • North Yorkshire Police say they are still investigating the matter and that presently no arrests have been made.