A Conservative local election candidate in Wellington has been suspended by the party over ‘shocking’ Facebook posts about immigrants and the word ‘golliwog’.

Kevin Wendt, of Ham, near Wellington, is one of two candidates the party put forward in the Wellington North ward for the Somerset West and Taunton Council election tomorrow (Thursday, May 2).

Mr Wendt was suspended after Facebook posts came to light which appeared to attack Asian families and Muslims, as well as justifying the use of the word ‘golliwog’.

His name will still be on the ballot paper when Wellington residents go to the polls.

Three posts on Mr Wendt’s Facebook profile, published over a six-month period, were reported to the Somerset Conservatives by a member of the public, who described them as ‘shocking’.

Mr Wendt told BBC Somerset he was sorry if his posts had offended anyone and said he was saddened by his suspension.

His name will still be on the ballot paper under the Conservative banner when Wellington residents vote tomorrow – but he will not be a member of the Conservative group on the council if he is elected.

A spokesman for Taunton Deane Conservatives said: “We have suspended Kevin Wendt from the party.

“Nominations for local government candidates have closed. Electoral law dictates that those suspended from the party after the deadline cannot be removed from the ballot or their details changed.

“However, he is no longer a Conservative Party candidate and would not be allowed to join the Conservative group while suspended.

“The Conservative Party does not tolerate any form of racism or discrimination.”

Of the five candidates standing in Wellington North, two of the following will be elected: Andrew Govier (Labour), Mark Lithgow (Liberal Democrat), Michael McGuffie (Labour), John Thorne (Conservative), Kevin Wendt (now Independent, but will show as Conservative on ballot paper).

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.