Alastair Campbell has been accused of racism today after making a 'clumsy' comment about 'non-white faces' at a Premier League football match

Tony Blair's former spin doctor Alastair Campbell has been accused of racism today after making a 'clumsy' comment about 'non white faces' at a Premier League football match.

Mr Campbell, 58, is best known for masterminding Labour's public relations during Mr Blair's time in power, but is also a fanatical football fan.

After Leicester's 4-0 win over Swansea City yesterday he decided to pay tribute to the ethnic mix of fans at the King Power Stadium.

He tweeted: 'Fantastic to see fairly high proportion of non white faces in the crowd at Leicester City. All too rare at most clubs.'

But the comment has been branded 'crass', 'clumsy' and even 'racist' by critics, who he called idiots and plonkers.

Ian Frankum told him: 'What a ridiculous Tweet, are you in a time machine? It's a reflection of the local community. Simple.'

Mr Campbell told him: 'And most clubs aren't, idiot'.

Mr Frankum replied again: 'Thanks for the insult. Look at the rest of comments and come to West Ham or Arsenal you will see things have changed.'

Mr Campbell replied once more: 'As it happens I am aware of that. But most clubs' crowds do not reflect their communities.'

Mr Frankum signed off with a closing remark: 'Put down the shovel Ally.'

Others also seemed less-than-impressed with Campbell's Tweet. One responder said: 'What an idiotic Tweet.'

Message: Alastair Campbell welcomed the proportion of 'non-white faces' at Leicester's match yesterday

Anger: Critics accused him of living in the past - Mr Campbell called this correspondent an 'idiot'

Explanation: After a flurry of angry messages the former Labour spinner said those criticising him 'have no idea or don't care' about the issue he was talking about

James Sharp told Campbell that his comment was 'a bit crass maybe' and another told him it was a 'clumsy political comment'.

Mark Thomas piled in, adding: 'What does it matter? Stop highlighting race'.

Another Twitter user said: 'That is a very, very strange and inflammatory comment.'

The harsh backlash on Twitter led to Campbell posting again last night.

At around 7pm he said: 'The plonkers going ape at my Tweet regarding Leicester City Football Club and non-white fans have no idea (or don't care) about the total lack of diversity in most football crowds.'

Leicester is famous for being one of the most diverse city's in the United Kingdom - where almost half the population are not white British.

According to the 2011 census 28 per cent of Leicester's residents are Indian while 21 per cent are from other ethnic groups.