A leading Brexit Party candidate has been urged to "disavow" comments about an IRA bombing that killed two children.

Tim Parry, 12, died in the arms of his father Colin five days after the IRA attack in Warrington on 10 March 1993.

Johnathan Bell, three, was also killed in the attack as he was shopping for a Mother's Day card with his babysitter.

The Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP) defended the IRA's actions by writing in a newsletter published on 2 April, 1993: "We defend the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures are necessary in their struggle for freedom."

Claire Fox, who is now the Brexit Party's candidate in the North West ahead of next month's European Parliament elections, was a leading RCP member at the time.


Image: Colin and Wendy Parry meet former PM Tony Blair in 1998

Colin Parry, the father of Tim, is now urging Ms Fox to disown the group's stance and claimed voters would be "absolutely disgusted by these comments".

He said: "What she said at that time is highly inappropriate.

"For somebody to come out with comments I believe she made, and being an apologist for the IRA, is absolutely disgraceful.

"If this woman would care to explain her comments back at that time to me and my wife, I would like her to do so.

"She should disavow these comments if that's her position and say, 'I was wrong, I was foolish'.

"I simply say I think voters in the constituency of the North West, which is a big area, really should be aware, as voters should be in general should be aware, of the political positions of candidates, even if they disavow them from a former life."

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The Brexit Party is fronted by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage and is set to be the most popular party at the EU elections on 23 May, according to a recent YouGov poll.

A party spokesman said Ms Fox does not deny she held those views in the past, but that she supported the Good Friday Agreement, which brought peace to Northern Ireland, and does not hold those views now.

He said: "It's a desperate attempt to cause trouble. That was 20 years ago and she is committed to democracy and peaceful solutions."

Sky News has contacted Ms Fox directly for comment.

Prime Minister Theresa May wants to avoid the UK's participation in European Parliament elections next month, but her continued failure to have her Brexit deal approved by MPs could see Britain forced to elect MEPs once again.

Eight MEPs will be elected to represent the North West in the European Parliament elections, if they do go ahead.

Change UK, the Conservatives, English Democrats, Green Party, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UK European Union Party and UKIP are also fielding candidates in the region, with independent candidates including former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson.

Dan Price, a local councillor and one of Change UK's candidates in the North West, said: "Since Fox's candidacy was announced and her history has surfaced, I've been approached by lots of people in Warrington who are furious she could soon be representing them.

"I live in Warrington, I know the Parry family and I've seen first-hand the work their peace foundation has done.

"Claire Fox should not be hiding away in London, she should come to Warrington and explain to the Parry family her views on the IRA atrocity that devastated our town.

"Nigel Farage has made a big mistake in making her his priority candidate for Warrington and he is treating us with contempt."

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