A controversial landlord who evicted women with newborn babies is being investigated for discrimination.

Tycoon Fergus Wilson revealed last week he gave four Ashford mothers their marching orders and will evict women who fall pregnant.

Mr Wilson previously banned so-called "coloured" tenants because of "the curry smell" and tried to sue a vlogger who called him a racist.

Now the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it is "taking action against Mr Wilson in view of his clearly discriminatory practice."

The 69-year-old said he blames Ashford Borough Council (ABC)'s "strict rules" on how quickly boilers need to be fixed in homes with babies.

He claims the council specifies homes with children over five must have necessary work carried out "as soon as possible", but for homes with babies work must commence "immediately".

Mr Wilson, who owns hundreds of homes in Ashford and Maidstone, said the council should be responsible for housing vulnerable people and accused it of being "in chaos."

An ABC spokesman said it initially works with landlords "informally" on a "case by case basis".

“We have a duty to ensure decent standards of housing for tenants who are renting privately. Formal enforcement action is very much a last resort but we will take action where necessary,” he added.

Hundreds of people complained about Mr Wilson's new policy on the internet, with many claiming he had breached human rights laws.

Others claimed Mr Wilson's previous run-ins with plumbers - they were previously banned from leasing his properties - may be a reason he finds them hard to find.

Mr Wilson said: "If there were to be a problem with hot water then we cannot get a gas safety engineer in under four days, when the council requires the work to be done ‘immediately’.

“We know we will not be able to comply with that expectation so have brought these tenancies to an end.

“There is no criticism of the tenants whatsoever.”

An EHRC spokesman said: “We are taking action against Mr Wilson in view of his clearly discriminatory practice against women and mothers. We would encourage anyone affected by Mr Wilson’s practice to contact us.”