A councillor has been kicked out of his Conservative group after comments on his Facebook page were labelled Islamophobic.

Enfield borough councillor Chris Joannides had the Conservative whip withdrawn permanently on Monday evening following controversial comments comparing people wearing burqas to dustbin bags on his social networking page.

The Greek Cypriot councillor, who was elected in 2006, was suspended from his party last month while the Conservatives discussed their plan of action.

The leader of Enfield Council's Conservative group Councillor Michael Lavender said: “We are an inclusive group with members drawn from many ethnic communities and faiths. 

“The group will continue to work hard to represent all of the diverse communities which make Enfield the unique and vibrant borough it is and its reputation relies on that.”

Cllr Joannides will still be able to attend council meetings, but is no longer a member of the Conservative party.

He is accused of writing by a picture of a woman and child dressed in burqas with a black binbag either side of them: “I saw her standing there and I told her she had three beautiful children. She didn't have to get all p***** off and threaten me … an honest mistake."

He is also in the firing line for a post after a residents' meeting in which he said he expects to be rewarded at the ballot box for his service to the community which is "eating" his social life.

The secretary of the Edmonton Islamic Centre in Upper Edmonton, Tariq Chaudhri, told the Enfield Independent last week he was "shocked" about the councillor's comments and said he should consider his position as a councillor.

However, the Grange Park representative strongly denies he is Islamophobic and claims his comments have been taken out of context.

The politician told the Enfield Independent last week that he is prepared to fight the “smear campaign” in the courts if necessary and will take legal action against the people who made the complaints once they are exposed by Enfield Borough Council.

The Enfield Independent is waiting for a comment from the councillor following his eviction from the party.

Although his details can still be found on the council’s website, Cllr Joannides is no longer listed as being part of any political party.