Henley MP Boris Johnson, pictured, yesterday distanced himself from a "racist" poem posted on his website. The poem, which was swiftly removed after it was drawn to the MP's attention, describes how a Pakistani migrant comes to Britain "poor and broke" and makes money by claiming welfare benefits before inviting friends from his home country to come and join him. They eventually take over the whole area after white neighbours move out.
Mr Johnson, when told the poem had been posted on the forum of his website, www.boris-johnson.com, said: "It is an utterly dreadful poem and I condemn it unreservedly.
"Hundreds of people post material on to the site and I had absolutely no idea it was there."
Mr Johnson's spokesman told the Oxford Mail the MP was reviewing the way the content of his website was moderated.
The spokesman said: "As soon as we were made aware of the poem we removed it.
"The website is edited very carefully but unfortunately this got through."
The poem, which reportedly appeared on a white supremacist website, came to light after it was sent in a message from the email account of Ellenor Bland, a Tory councillor in Wiltshire. The message included a cartoon of the white cliffs of Dover with the words "P*** off, we're full" scrawled across them.
Tory bosses yesterday suspended Ms Bland, who was the party's candidate in Swansea East in last year's general election.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article