A UKIP candidate has distanced himself from “stupid” comments made about Muslims by one of his party’s councillors.

Phillip Broughton, Ukip’s candidate for Hartlepool in Thursday’s General Election, said he did not agree with Cllr Tom Hind’s views that all Muslims should be banned from the party and Islam was not a religion but a political ideology.

Cllr Hind made the comments in a post on Ukip’s regional organisers' Facebook page, and faced calls from opposition councillors to resign with immediate effect.

But John Tennant, UKIP’s leader on Hartlepool Council said nobody would be “forced out” of the party based on their religious beliefs.

Mr Broughton said: “Tom Hind’s comments on Muslims are stupid, wrong and I don’t agree with them.

“We in UKIP believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, colour, creed or background.”

Cllr Hind’s comments were condemned last week by Mike Hill, Labour candidate for Hartlepool in next week’s General Election, as well as Conservative candidate Carl Jackson and Liberal Democrat candidate, Andy Hagon.

However, Cllr Hind has said he will stand by his “personal and private” remarks.