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Migration row Tory to be quizzed Migration row Tory to be quizzed
(about 7 hours later)
The Conservative party chairman is to seek an explanation later from a candidate who declared that Enoch Powell was "right" on immigration. A Tory Parliamentary candidate who said Enoch Powell was "right" on immigration will be asked to explain himself to the party's chairman later.
Nigel Hastilow, who will contest Halesowen and Rowley Regis, made the comments in a newspaper column. Nigel Hastilow's local party in Halesowen and Rowley Regis, said his comments in a newspaper column were "relaying the views of the public".
The chairman of the local Conservative Association said Mr Hastilow was "relaying the views of the public". But Shadow Chancellor George Osborne said he would be told all candidates must use calm language on immigration.
Enoch Powell was sacked from the shadow cabinet after a controversial speech in 1968 against uncontrolled immigration. Labour minister Peter Hain said it showed the Tories' "racist underbelly".
A Tory spokesman said candidates of all parties should take "great care" when discussing immigration. Enoch Powell was sacked from the Conservative shadow cabinet after a controversial speech in 1968 against uncontrolled immigration.
He added that Mr Hastilow "will be told this in clear terms" during the meeting with party chairman Caroline Spelman in London on Sunday. 'Explain himself'
'Red carpet' Asked about Mr Hastilow's comments, Mr Osborne told BBC One's AM programme: "I don't agree with what he said."
The Conservative hopeful made the comments in a column for the Express and Star newspaper in Wolverhampton - where Mr Powell had been the MP at the time of his 1968 speech. He said Mr Hastilow would be meeting party chairman Caroline Spelman later on Sunday to "explain himself".
The candidate wrote: "When you ask most people in the Black Country what the single biggest problem facing the country is, most say immigration. "It will also be explained to him that candidates of any party - Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat - have to exercise great caution in the language they use about immigration," he added.
He's basically just raising issues that have been raised with him when he has been canvassing the area Mary DockerConstituency association chairwomanHe's basically just raising issues that have been raised with him when he has been canvassing the area Mary DockerConstituency association chairwoman
He said the country needed controlled immigration, but the debate had to be conducted in "a reasonable way with moderate use of language".
Asked if Mr Hastilow would remain a Conservative Party candidate, Mr Osborne said he did not want to prejudge the meeting.
Mr Hastilow made the comments in a column for the Express and Star newspaper in Wolverhampton - where Mr Powell had been the MP at the time of his 1968 speech.
'Rivers of blood'
The candidate wrote: "When you ask most people in the Black Country what the single biggest problem facing the country is, most say immigration.
"Many insist: 'Enoch Powell was right'. Enoch, once MP for Wolverhampton South-West, was sacked from the Conservative front bench and marginalised politically for his 1968 'rivers of blood' speech, warning that uncontrolled immigration would change our country irrevocably."Many insist: 'Enoch Powell was right'. Enoch, once MP for Wolverhampton South-West, was sacked from the Conservative front bench and marginalised politically for his 1968 'rivers of blood' speech, warning that uncontrolled immigration would change our country irrevocably.
Really in the undergrowth of the Tory Party, its grassroots, including this candidate, there are all these backwards reactionary sentiments Peter Hain
"He was right. It has changed dramatically.""He was right. It has changed dramatically."
Mr Hastilow also wrote: "They have more or less given up complaining about the way we roll out the red carpet for foreigners while leaving the locals to fend for themselves."Mr Hastilow also wrote: "They have more or less given up complaining about the way we roll out the red carpet for foreigners while leaving the locals to fend for themselves."
Public views Mary Docker, chairwoman of Mr Hastilow's local Conservative association, said she did not think he had done anything wrong.
But Mary Docker, chairwoman of Mr Hastilow's local Conservative association, said she did not think he had done anything wrong.
She told BBC News 24: "He's basically just raising issues that have been raised with him when he has been canvassing the area.She told BBC News 24: "He's basically just raising issues that have been raised with him when he has been canvassing the area.
"All he is doing is just relaying the views of the public, which is what a politician should do.""All he is doing is just relaying the views of the public, which is what a politician should do."
Mrs Docker said she did not think his comments should threaten his candidacy.Mrs Docker said she did not think his comments should threaten his candidacy.
BBC political correspondent Guto Harri said: "This is the last thing David Cameron wanted." Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said the Conservatives should "get rid of this candidate" to prove they are committed to equal opportunities.
He said "there is a debate to be had" on the issue, but the Conservative leader would not want his party to be associated with the tone used by the party's candidate in a key Midlands seat. "This Conservative candidate really exposes the racist underbelly of the Tory party," he told the BBC.
Meanwhile, Labour has called for Mr Hastilow to be sacked over the "unacceptable" comments. He said leader David Cameron had "been very clear himself" in being against racism, but "in the undergrowth of the Tory Party...there are all these backwards reactionary sentiments".