A call has been made for a County Council election Reform UK candidate standing in Coalville to be suspended over a racist insult made online in 2013.

Elliott Allman is the Reform UK candidate for Coalville North at the May 1 elections.

But Leicestershire Conservatives have today (Friday) issued a statement calling for an investigation into 'the apparent widespread racism in the North West Leicestershire branch' of Reform UK.

The statement refers to a racial slur posted on Mr Allman's Facebook account 12 years ago.

It was highlighted on social media earlier this week, and now Leicestershire Conservatives have made a 'formal complaint' to Reform UK.

The statement reads: "Statement from the Leicestershire Conservatives regarding racism within the Reform UK North West Leicestershire branch.

"Vile racist remarks that recently came to light posted on social media by the Reform UK candidate for Coalville North, Elliott Allman, are shocking but sadly not surprising.

Elliott Allman. Photo: North West Leicestershire District Council

"Nigel Farage recently claimed that Reform was vetting to a standard no other party has ever done before – and even claimed that those that swear online will be removed. Will he apply the same standard here? Or does racism get a free pass?

"We have lodged a formal complaint with Reform UK and call them to suspend the member involved while they carry out a full investigation into the apparent widespread racism within their North West Leicestershire branch."

Coalville Nub News has approached Mr Allman for comment. But it is understood he will not be responding to the statement at the moment.

As things stand, he will contest the County Council division currently held by the Conservatives' Craig Smith.

Mr Allman resigned from the Conservative Party last year in a highly critical social media post.

Other candidates in Coalville North are, Amanda Briers (Liberal Democrat), David Kellock (Green) and Rebecca Pawley (Labour).