A Lib Dem general election candidate has stepped down after being accused of making a series of racist and homophobic tweets.

The party said it had "immediately opened disciplinary investigations" against Kevin McNamara, who was the party's candidate for Thurrock.

Screenshots of the tweets circulating on Twitter claimed to show the parliamentary hopeful used racist and homophobic slurs in 2009 and 2010.

His Twitter account has since been 'protected' - meaning only confirmed followers can see them.

A screenshot of a tweet from 2011 appear to show Mr McNamara making a sexist comment.

Various screenshots show him using the racial slur 'n*****' on several occasions in 2009 and 2010.

A spokesman for the Liberal Democrats told Mirror Online that "the party has immediately opened disciplinary investigations" into Mr McNamara.

The spokesman said they would not comment further while an investigation was underway.

(Image: yourthurrockfilms/Youtube)

In one tweet from 2010, Mr McNamara writes: "I smelt horse s*** and saw a black guy walk into kfc. this summarises grays." (sic)

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In another, from 2010, he writes: "santander are being c**** and a black girl is walking around with her handbag on her head. Y ME????" (sic)

Another tweet from 2009 shows him replying to someone with the homophobic slur "f****t".

Mr McNamara has now apologised for the 'offensive' tweets.

He said: “I am deeply sorry for the comments that I made that are currently being reported in the press.

(Image: @KevinMPMcNamara/Twitter)

"These words are deeply offensive and I apologise profusely to everybody that I have offended with these tweets.

“I would never want to undermine the voices of those communities with slurs or degradation and it's important that people who want to represent the public are held to the very highest standard.

"I am resigning as a candidate with immediate effect for the upcoming election.

“I apologise to all of those I have let down with my past conduct and will work hard to regain their trust."