A WIRRAL Conservative councillor has been suspended after comparing black Labour MP David Lammy to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) on social media.

Ward councillor for Greasby, Frankby and Irby David Burgess-Joyce caused anger on social media after tweeting: "Mr Lammy, if Mr Trump is racist then he's no doubt learnt it from you.

"You're an expert in virtue-signalling black issues.

"You pretend to speak for black people yet you do more damage to community cohesion than any KKK member."

Wirral Globe:

The comment was in response to a tweet published by Mr Lammy over the controversial comments made by President Donald Trump told four congresswomen to 'go home' and expressed his disappointment that neither Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt - the two Tory leadership candidates - had condemned the comments.

In a statement, Wirral Tory group leader, Cllr Ian Lewis said: "I have this morning suspended Cllr David Burgess-Joyce from the Conservative Group.

“The party has a rigorous Code of Conduct for elected representatives and the complaints that have been made will now be investigated.”

Cllr Burgess-Joyce has since deleted the tweet and apologised on social media.

This morning he said: "My apologies if I’ve inadvertently offended anyone this morning but I love this country for its diversity and tolerance and am happy to condemn ANYONE who tries to destroy that.

"Lammy does that so often, however, the use of KKK was an unacceptable analogy."

Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood said she was 'appalled' by Cllr Burgess-Joyce's remarks.

Ms Greenwood told the Globe: “I am appalled by the deeply offensive remarks made by Wirral Conservative councillor David Burgess-Joyce about David Lammy MP.

“His apology falls short of what the public has a right to expect from an elected representative.

“David Lammy is respected in Parliament by members from across the political spectrum for his work to promote community cohesion and he has fought racism throughout his political career.

“Cllr Burgess-Joyce should recognise that and now make the full apology that David Lammy deserves.”