A councillor who shared Twitter posts described as Islamophobic has been expelled from the Conservative Party.

Cllr Michael Franklin from Medway Council retweeted images back in 2016 suggesting Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau was “worshipping the devil” in a mosque, and attacking anti-Islamophobia feminists.

The Luton and Wayfield representative was suspended last month after former party chairman Sayeeda Warsi shared the posts on social media, but has now been booted out following an investigation.

Chatham and Aylesford party chairman Andrew Kennedy said: “I can confirm that Cllr Franklin was expelled as a member of the Conservative Party after retweeting what members of the executive council considered to be Islamaphobic content.

“A new Conservative candidate has been selected to contest Cllr Franklin’s Luton and Wayfield seat.

"I have no further comment to add.”

Cllr Franklin was suspended by local members in February after the content was “brought to our attention...earlier this morning” – despite the posts being discussed at a full council meeting back in 2016.

There have been calls for the matter to be discussed by the authority’s conduct committee, while Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) has questioned whether leader Cllr Alan Jarrett (Con) has “acted properly” in dealing with the “debacle”.

Cllr Franklin could not be reached for comment.

The former Conservative councillor did not attend last month's full council meeting, sending his apologies in advance.