A WARRINGTON councillor says the top Brexit Party candidate for the north west is 'totally unfit for office' over her views on the IRA bombing of Warrington.

And the father of Tim Parry, killed in the 1993 attacks, says the views are 'highly inappropriate'.

Claire Fox is on top of the list for the Brexit Party candidates for the Euro Elections next month. As it stands, if polling is to be believed, she is likely to be elected as an MEP representing Warrington.

She is a former core activist and organiser for the Revolutionary Communist Party.

After the 1993 bombing, which killed Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, the Revolutionary Communist Party’s official newsletter stated that they defended 'the right of the Irish people to take whatever measures necessary in their struggle for freedom'.

Fox was also a member of the Irish Freedom Movement, which backed dissident republicanism.

Now Colin Parry, the father of Tim, says Ms Fox's position is 'absolutely disgraceful'.

Mr Parry, speaking to PA, said Claire Fox should explain her position.

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

Colin and Wendy Parry

"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."

Asked what voters would make of the matter, Mr Parry added: "I would hope they would be absolutely disgusted by these comments."

Mr Parry and Tim's mother, Wendy Parry, later set up the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, which has since become an internationally recognised centre for conflict resolution and victim support.

Asked if Nigel Farage should drop Ms Fox as a candidate, Mr Parry said: "I wonder whether he knows? I wonder whether the Brexit Party know this about her? Maybe they don't think it's an important issue."

Now Great Sankey Councillor Dan Price, who is one of Change UK’s candidates for the European elections to be held on May 23, has spoken out and say he was horrified that Warrington could soon have an MEP who defended the IRA.

Cllr Dan Price

“It is sickening that someone with Claire Fox’s views, who has been a genocide denier, an IRA defender and was part of a movement that described the Good Friday Agreement as ‘a disgrace’ could soon be an MEP for Warrington,” he 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,” he added.

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“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.”

A spokesman for the Brexit Party said Ms Fox does not deny she did hold 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."