A Darlington Labour candidate has been suspended by the party over a sex offender slur about the royal family on twitter.

David Beckett was due to stand for the Labour Party in Thursday’s (May 4) local elections but has been suspended from the party following comments made on his twitter account.

In response to news that Brits would be invited to pledge their allegiance to King Charles during Saturday (May 6)’s Coronation events, a post on his twitter account read: “Are we seriously being asked to swear that we will ‘pledge allegiance to his Majesty, [his] heirs and successors according to law’?

Read more: Trucking firm fined £140k after Darlington dad killed instantly by falling machinery

“There isn’t a chance in hell of me giving such an affirmation to a n***e.”

The Northern Echo: The tweet, which has since been taken downThe tweet, which has since been taken down (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

He has since deleted his account following a backlash over the comments, and has now been suspended from the Labour Party.

It is not clear who the tweet was referring to.

In a statement the Darlington Labour group said: “We have been notified by Labour’s Governance and Legal Unit that one of our candidates has been suspended from the party regarding conduct on social media.

“We will not be commenting further on this individual case any further, while this investigation is ongoing.

“Darlington Labour do not agree with or endorse the comments made by this individual in this case.

Read next:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only £1.50 a week. Click here

“We hold our councillors and candidates to a high standard and apologise unequivocally for the offence caused in this instance.”

Beckett was due to stand for the party in Darlington’s Brinkburn and Faverdale Ward.

Voters will head to the polls on Thursday across the Tees Valley with every seat on Darlington Council up for election.