Dudley Tory candidate Afzal Amin hits back over EDL video claims
The Conservative candidate trying to become an MP for a battleground Black Country seat has hit back over claims he was trying to work with the far-right English Defence League.
Afzal Amin was filmed allegedly telling members of the protest group that they should organise a march against the planned multi-million pound new Dudley Mosque, then for it to be called off so he could take the credit, the Mail on Sunday has reported.
The newspaper said the plan was that in return for the EDL's co-operation, he said he would be their 'unshakeable ally' and bring their views into the mainstream if he won election to Parliament.
An emergency meeting of the Tory party's candidates committee has already taken place and a full hearing will take place on Tuesday when Mr Amin will be invited to give his side of the story.
The committee will then decide whether or not he can stay on as the candidate.
The Dudley North seat is the most marginal in the Black Country. It is held by Labour's Ian Austin with a majority of just 649 votes. Opinion polls have suggested UKIP is the main opposition.
Mr Amin served as a captain in the army. He was with the 20th Armoured Brigade in Iraq and has also done three tours of duty in Afghanistan.
He grew up in the Black Country, attending schools in Smethwick and Oldbury before going to Sandwell College.
If Mr Amin is dropped as a candidate it will leave the Tories facing a race against time to replace him.
Councils have to have received applications by April 9.
A Conservative party spokesman said: "Following an emergency meeting, it has been decided unanimously to suspend him as a candidate with immediate effect. The Conservative Party views this this as a matter of extremely serious concern."
