Premier Kathleen Wynne says PC Leader Doug Ford isn’t banning Tanya Granic Allen from running for the party’s nomination in Mississauga Centre — despite criticizing her controversial social media posts about Muslims and gays — because the two were kindred spirits in the party’s leadership race.

“I know that he and she agreed on a lot of issues during the leadership. There was a lot of common ground that they shared,” Wynne said, referring to Ford’s pledge to re-examine the new sex education curriculum while courting Allen’s social conservative support.

Wynne’s comments came as the Urban Alliance on Race Relations added its voice to calls from the Liberals, New Democrats and some Muslim groups for Allen to be barred from the April 21 nomination race because of posts comparing Muslim women in burkas to “bank robbers” and “ninjas” and questioning gay marriage, which is legal in Ontario.

In one blog post, she urged women to wear burkas only at home.

“Homophobia and Islamophobia should never be acceptable from any lawmaker,” the group said as it put out a form letter it is asking citizens to send to Ford.

It reads in part:

“I am calling you to stand against such discrimination and disqualify her as a candidate for political office, since such regressive beliefs should not find a home in the government.”

Ford reiterated Thursday he does not stand by Allen’s remarks, but did not suggest he will take any further steps.

“I’ve been very, very clear our party is open to everyone. And I don’t agree with those comments....We welcome every single person in this province, no matter where they come from, no matter what race, what culture, no matter what party.”

Allen has declined repeated requests for comment from the Star, but told Canadian Press earlier this week “my concern...has always been about the freedom of religion, the freedom of conscience and freedom of expression and protecting those very important rights.”

She would not say whether she supports gay marriage.

“It has nothing to do with this election.”

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