A NORTH-EAST Liberal Democrat leader who nominated a British National Party candidate for election was last night suspended on the orders of party chief Sir Menzies Campbell.

Councillor Steve Jones had already resigned as the Lib Dem group leader on Darlington Borough Council when he was suspended by his party.

The party said there would be an immediate and thorough investigation, which follows a similar incident in Lancashire in February.

Coun Jones nominated Daniel Andrew Brown to stand for election for the British National Party (BNP) in Darlington's North Road ward.

Coun Jones, a councillor of four years, last night admitted that he did not know Mr Brown, and he had not noticed that Mr Brown was standing for the BNP when he signed his nomination form earlier this month.

He hoped the move would not damage his political career and wanted to reassure residents in North Road, which is also his ward, that he would still be standing for election in May.

But last night there were calls for Coun Jones to be sacked.

Francis Maude MP, chairman of the Conservative Party, said: "There can be no excuse for a mainstream political party promoting extremism and racism.

"Menzies Campbell must get off the fence and sack Steve Jones. He must send a clear message to the rest of his party that racism will not be tolerated, by expelling this councillor from the Liberal Democrats."

Darlington MP Alan Milburn said: "Steve Jones should withdraw as a candidate. He cannot possibly represent a mainstream political party if he is prepared to endorse a candidate for the BNP.

"If he doesn't withdraw his nomination, then his party should withdraw him."

The far right BNP is fielding eight candidates in Darlington and about 100 across the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Last night, Coun Jones said: "A friend had asked my wife if she would nominate somebody to stand. She wasn't there, so I signed the form for him.

"I don't know him and I didn't notice he was standing for the BNP at the time. I thought he was an independent candidate.

"I should have checked it and I feel livid now because I do not support the BNP whatsoever.

"Hopefully, because of the work that I have done in the ward and because people know me, they will realise that I stand for the Lib Dem views."

Coun Jones said his suspension would be reviewed next month.

There are three Lib Dem councillors in Darlington.

John Williams, leader of Darlington's Labour group, said: "Clearly, Darlington Liberal Democrats are now in disarray over their former council leader's support for the BNP.

"I am sure that on May 3 the people of Darlington, not just in the North Road ward, but wherever the Liberal Democrat candidates are standing, will show their feelings about this sorry affair at the ballot box."

Heather Scott, leader of Darlington's Conservative group, said: "I would have thought that somebody in his position would be more careful about who he supports."

Ian Barnes, Darlington Liberal Democrat chairman, said: "Councillor Jones made an error of judgement in signing the nomination papers of an opposition candidate.

"He has assured Darlington Liberal Democrats that he has absolutely no sympathy for the policies of the BNP."

Last night, Edward Davey MP, chief of staff to Sir Menzies Campbell and chairman of campaigns and communications, said: "The Liberal Democrat Party in no way endorses, and indeed repudiates, the policy platform of the BNP, whose views we find repugnant in every aspect.

"At all levels of the party, our aim is to defeat the invidious philosophy of the BNP and to campaign actively against them."

Ken Booth, BNP regional organiser for the North-East, said Coun Jones had not done anything wrong.

He said: "You don't have to agree with the policies to sign the nomination forms. It is no big deal."

Mr Booth said he thought the BNP would make gains across the region next month, especially in Sedgefield, where there are 16 candidates, on Tyneside and in Sunderland.