Labour in Hyndburn has been called on by the Conservative to drop an anti-monarchist candidate, as it drops its own candidate for alleged anti-Semitic comments.

Hyndburn Conservative Association has demanded Labour suspend a local election candidate over a Facebook post describing Queen Camilla as a 'jumped-up old whore'.

It comes as the borough's ruling party ditched one of its own poll hopefuls for a social media link to a video about a 'Synagogue of Satan'.

The Tory group wrote to Labour party chair Anneliese Dodds after old social media posts by Peel ward candidate Clare Pritchard.

In May 2023, around the time of King Charles' coronation, she posted a picture of the late Princess Diana with the caption: “Forever Queen of the people's hearts.

"A true Queen NOT some jumped-up old whore."

Ms Pritchard, a former deputy leader of Hyndburn Council when it was under Labour control, has since apologised for her comments.

Lancashire Telegraph: Clare Pritchard called Queen Camilla a whoreClare Pritchard called Queen Camilla a whore

She had also shared a photo of King Charles calling him “adulterous” and accusing him of “abandoning his son, wife and grandchildren”.

It comes as the Conservatives have withdrawn support from Netherton ward candidate Mohammed Riaz over allegedly anti-Semitic social media posts he had shared in 2014.

The first-time local election hopeful had posted a link to a video on extreme right-wing US website Tru News, which featured a reference to 'The Synagogue of Satan' above a picture of children being sacrificed.

Mr Riaz also claimed on social media that one video he posted showed how “this Jewish girl is encouraged to hit this Palestinian child by her parents”.

He will remain the Tory candidate on the ballot paper due to the election being less than three weeks away.

In their letter regarding Ms Pritchard, the Conservative letter to Ms Dodds says: "We are writing to you following the publicised comments of a Labour candidate in Hyndburn.

"The comments taken from Facebook made disparaging comments about The Queen.

"The comments were crass and demonstrate that the candidate in question is unfit for office.

"We are sure the Labour Party would not want to be associated with them.

"Therefore in advance of May's local elections, we would ask you to answer the following question: whether you will remove Labour candidate in Peel ward, Hyndburn, due to the candidate's recently published comments?"

A Labour party spokesperson said Ms Pritchard remained the candidate and forwarded a statement of apology from her.

Ms Pritchard's statement said: "I am deeply sorry for the offensive comments I made on social media which have recently come to light.

"These were wrong, I should not have said them and I apologise unreservedly for any offence I have caused."

On the decision to withdraw support from Mr Riaz, the Conservatives said: "We have been made aware that our candidate in Netherton made anti-Semitic comments and shared anti-Semitic tropes in 2014.

"As soon as we were made aware of these comments, the matter was escalated and the candidate was suspended.

"Regrettably, it is too late to withdraw the individual from the ballot paper, but Hyndburn Conservatives will be withdrawing their support.

"Hyndburn Conservatives will always take swift action against discrimination."