The Labour Party is distancing itself from an election candidate who branded Sir Winston Churchill as a “racist and white supremacist”.
Benjamin Whittingham tweeted a message claiming he was “disappointed” the war leader was chosen to feature on new £5 notes.
He wrote: “Bit disappointed Churchill is on the new £5 given he was racist and white supremacist.
“Can’t go into the future with a foot in the past.”
The comments have angered Sir Winston's grandson, MP Sir Nicholas Soames, who branded them "deeply insulting".
He told MailOnline: "The fact that these views are expressed within the Labour Party is deeply insulting to the memory of our greatest prime minister.
"Ed Miliband must take action against those in his party who hold abhorrent views. If he can't do that he can never be up to the job of being Prime Minister."
It is the latest embarrassment caused by a candidate to hit Labour, coming hours after the suspension of a candidate who described Israel as evil.
Mr Whittingham is the prospective parliamentary candidate for Wyre and Preston North and describes himself as a teacher and a socialist.
A Labour Party spokesman said: "This comment does not represent the view of the Labour Party."
