Election candidate sacked over 'anti-Islam' tweets

Keith Mason played for Huddersfield, Castleford, St Helens and Wakefield before he retired in 2013

A former rugby league player who was standing as a parliamentary candidate in West Yorkshire has been sacked by his party over "anti-Islamic" tweets.

Keith Mason was due to represent The Workers Party of Britain, led by George Galloway, in Wakefield and Rothwell on 4 July in the general election.

Mr Galloway confirmed he had sacked the former prop for the messages, with Mr Mason issuing an apology.

"I absolutely 100% respect all my Muslim brothers and sisters," he said.

Mr Mason, who played for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, St Helens, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants, is reported to have insulted the religion in a number of tweets sent in reply to other X accounts.

In an apology, he posted: "I’ve grown up with Muslims my whole life I see them as my brothers and sisters, and not one of them would say I was Islamophobic ever!"

George Galloway said he wished Mr Mason well but repentance was "not enough"

He said he was a Roman Catholic who respected all beliefs, adding: "I don’t have to agree with other religions like you wouldn’t with mine but I absolutely 100% respect all my Muslim brothers and sisters."

He concluded: "I apologise to anyone who misinterpreted a conversation that came across that way."

Confirming his sacking, Mr Galloway posted: "Mason apologised for his historic tweets which were published when he was indeed guilty of anti-Islamic bigotry.

"It seems repentance is not enough in the elections game however. So he's gone."

Mr Mason retired from rugby league in 2013 to pursue an acting career, appearing in the BBC crime drama series Peaky Blinders.

His name will still appear on the ballot paper alongside The Workers Party of Britain as the deadline for candidates to be nominated has passed.

Candidates for Wakefield and Rothwell

• Arnold Craven - Conservative

• David Dews - Reform UK

• Stewart Golton - Liberal Democrats

• Brent Hawksley - The Yorkshire Party

• Simon Lightwood - Labour

• Ashley Routh - Green

• Nicholas Sanders - Social Democratic Party

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