THE Labour Party has suspended one of their candidates standing for a Wiltshire Council seat after it emerged he had made a number of comments comparing Israel to the Nazis and terrorist group ISIS on his Facebook page.

Terry Couchman, who is vying for election in Lyneham against Tory Alison Bucknell and Liberal Democrat Trudie Clarkson, confirmed he had been suspended by the Party this week but remained unrepentant for his controversial comments about Zionism on social media but welcomed an investigation. He also confirmed he would continue to stand for election as an Independent on May 4.

In one post Mr Couchman said he was "as critical of the Islamic State as I am of the notion of a Jewish State" while suggesting it was the "ZioNazi [Saudi and Israeli] Storm Troopers of IsraHell" that were using chemical weapons for ethnic cleansing. 

The former Trowbridge town councillor said: "I have been suspended pending investigation much like Ken Livingstone for certain criticisms of international politics. The reasons for my suspension though are not entirely clear and I am going to contest.

"I am of Jewish descent and my views have changed considerably about supporting Israel based on the information I have been provided by Jewish friends and other well known works. I am quite vocal about politics on a wider scale but I also actively talk and engage with local politics too."

Mr Couchman, who lives in Carnegie Mews, Calne, said his original intention was to stand as an independent candidate in Calne but changed his mind when he was approached by the Party.

"If it wasn't for the fact that Labour were trying to renew interest in local politics in Calne, I would have stood as an independent," Mr Couchman added. "I was encouraged by the party to stand in Lyneham.

"In terms of my position, I would stand as an independent if the part decides to distance themselves and I will make it clear that I have socialist principles. I will be happy to speak to anyone about any concerns they may have."

The candidate, who also helps run volunteer group Your Choice, believes Ken Livingstone's comments were correct but welcomed the investigation in both cases. He said: "I am not saying Ken Livingston is the most apt of speakers but it is clear what he was referring to and he was referring to well known facts.

"Saying that, I have no problems why they are looking into it and the same goes for myself. I just hope that it is a swift investigation and I can tell my side of the story.

"The Party have also asked that I change my Facebook privacy to family and friends and I have accepted that as the party requested that, not because I want to hide away."

A Labour spokesman said: "The Labour Party is aware of complaints about Terry Couchman. The Party takes all complaints seriously and will take all appropriate disciplinary action in line with the Party’s rule book and procedures."

Wiltshire Council have been approached for a comment.