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A Conservative councillor is being investigated by the party over an allegation of Islamophobia.

Mary Sherwin has been suspended from the Bosworth Conservative Association after a complaint was made against her.

The former Leicestershire county councillor said she had been unaware of the specifics of the complaint against her until she was contacted by LeicestershireLive.

She said the letter she had received said only that it was alleged she had discriminated against someone.

However, it is understood the allegation relates to an encounter with a Muslim party member outside an internal meeting in the summer.

The Burbage parish councillor and former police authority member denied the allegation, saying she was upset that it had been made against her.

She said: “I am being victimised by people trying to blacken my name.

“This is not me. I am not a racist.

“I was so upset when I got the email (about the complaint).

“I know I am being investigated but I can’t defend myself because until now I had no idea of what I was being accused of.

“What you (LeicestershireLive) is telling me is news to me.

“I haven’t been asked to speak to the person doing the investigation and I really don’t know what is going on.”

'I am not a racist'

The councillor said she recalled the encounter outside the internal meeting in the summer, but said that she had done nothing wrong.

She added: “I have been a councillor for 22 years and I’ve never had anyone accuse me of anything like this.

“I’ve got umpteen people who will come forward as character witnesses for me.”

Chairman of the Bosworth Conservative Association Peter Bedford said: “I take such things very seriously and can confirm that we have recently suspended one member pending a full investigation.

“If it is shown that this individual engaged in such appalling behaviour the association will be looking to bring expulsion proceedings in due course.”

He said he was not personally involved in the investigation but that he hoped it would be completed by Christmas.