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A top Tory has blasted members of his own party for distributing a ‘racist’ leaflet ahead of May’s local elections.

Theresa May has been urged to take “immediate action” over the flyer, which warns voters in the outer London borough of Havering that Labour would turn the suburb into an “inner city area.”

Tory former cabinet minister Nick Boles branded it “disgraceful”, adding: “The individuals responsible should apologise and withdraw it or face disciplinary action.

He said: “We cannot attack Corbyn for indulging anti-Semitism in Labour and allow messages like this to go unchallenged.”

The leaflet, which includes pictures of Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan , bears the headline: “Labour’s shocking plan to change Romford for good.”

It goes on to warn Labour would turn the area into “boroughs like Hackney, Newham, Camden and Barking, rather than a traditional part of Essex.

“Romford will increasingly become like an inner city area if Labour get their way and seize control of Havering Town Hall in May!”

And it claims there would be “massive population increases”, “vast numbers of high-rise blocks of flats” and a “London crime wave with even less [sic] police.”

Damian White, a Conservative councillor in Havering, whose photograph is included on the leaflet, said it had been approved by Conservative Party Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).

(Image: Hounslow Chronicle)

He told the Mirror: “The leaflet in question was approved by Conservative central office. One of the senior agents of the party had the opportunity to see it and had no comment, so it was printed and delivered.

“I have apologised for any offence that was caused and it has been withdrawn.”

We approached CCHQ for comment. They responded, but did not address the question of whether they approved the leaflet.

We also approached Tory MP Andrew Rossindell - who is named on the leaflet - but he had not responded at the time of publication.

Cllr White added: “We’re not saying we did something wrong. We stand by what we said. But I think it’s people putting the wrong slant on it.

“We are fighting a campaign against the increasing urbanisation of our borough. We have such huge housing targets. And that’s what the leaflet was aiming for.

“But I have apologised on behalf of the Association for any offence that may have been caused.”

The pamphlet also claims a Labour council would result in “our cherished Union Jack flag being taken down - back to Labour’s political correctness!” and “Havering ruled by Mayor Khan!”

It urges voters to back “local” Tory candidates - including Councillor White - in May’s elections, in order to “keep Havering special”.

The Stand Up To Racism Campaign has urged Mrs May to take “immediate action”, saying: “There must be no place in the local elections for whipping up racism to win votes.”