A UKIP candidate for the forthcoming council elections has defended himself after tweeting that comedian Lenny Henry should “emigrate to a black country.”

William Geoffrey Henwood, who will stand in the council election on May 22 in Enfield Town ward,  tweeted following a speech by Lenny Henry about a push for more diversity on television.

Mr Henwood responded by tweeting that Mr Henry should emigrate to a black country adding: "He does not have to live with whites.”

The 66-year-old also tweeted that: “Islam reminds me of the 3rd Reich Strength through violence against the citizens."

UKIP have 16 candidates standing in the local election next month. When questioned about the tweets in an interview with the BBC Mr Henwood said: “If black people come to this country and don't like mixing with white people why are they here? If he (Henry) wants a lot of blacks around go and live in a black country.”

A UKIP spokesman said: "Any breach of our rules will be duly investigated and action will be taken.”