Calderdale councillor suspended over 'Muslim parasite' posts
- Published
Conservative councillor Mike Payne, of Calderdale Council, represents the Sowerby Bridge ward
A Conservative councillor who shared an article on social media which called Muslims "parasites" has been suspended by the party.
Mike Payne, of Calderdale Council, posted a link to a piece called "France Slashes Benefits to Muslim Parasites by 83%" on Facebook and Twitter in 2013.
His posts, first reported by were called "grossly offensive" and a "disgrace" by other users.
Mr Payne has been approached for comment by the ´óÏó´«Ã½.
More stories from West Yorkshire
The shared article stated France was no longer able to "hold back the crowd of Muslim invaders" who "live off the state and breed like rabbits".
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read and before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
After his post on Twitter was criticised by a Labour councillor, he replied he had "stated nothing of a racist nature" and was referring to the "actions of the socialist government in France".
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read and before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
A spokesman for the Conservative Party said: "Mr Payne has been suspended by the party pending an investigation."