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A candidate for the United Conservative Party nomination in Brooks-Medicine Hat has been disqualified from the ballot just days before the vote because of social media posts in which he refers to Islam as having “no legitimate basis” and calls Muslims “fools who are really worshipping Satan.”

It’s the latest controversy involving UCP ballots this weekend. On Saturday, Calgary-Greenway MLA Prab Gill left the UCP caucus following an internal party ballot-stuffing probe.

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Todd Beasley was one of three candidates vying for the Brooks-Medicine Hat nomination, along with Michaela Glasgo and Dinah Hiebert.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Saturday, Beasley announced he would be withdrawing his name after being asked by the party to do so.

“While I do not agree with this request, I respect the Party’s right to approve or reject their potential candidates. My name will not appear on the upcoming ballot,” Beasley wrote.

“I understand that you deserve to know the details leading to this outcome. Those of you who know me well know that I have strong opinions on many subjects. I make no apologies for those thoughts, many of which I have expressed publicly. There is a perception in some quarters that certain published opinions could be construed as intolerant and offensive to some. Again, I make no apologies. My sense of right and wrong will not allow me to remain silent when my conscience demands otherwise.”