The Conservative candidate in Helensburgh and Lomond at the next General Election has declined to comment directly on the Islamophobic comments by the party's former vice-chair.

Councillor Amanda Hampsey declined to comment on the controversy sparked by Lee Anderson MP claiming London mayor Sadiq Khan was "controlled by Islamists".

Instead, she shared the Scottish Conservative line that the comments were "inappropriate and offensive".

Councillor Hampsey was selected by the Scottish Conservatives to contest the Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber seat - which includes all of Helensburgh and Lomond - at the next UK election, expected to be held later this year.

The Advertiser asked Cllr Hampsey - who represents Oban South and the Isles, and who last week joined her Conservative colleagues and others on the local authority's Argyll, Lomond and Islands ruling group in voting through a 10 per cent council tax hike for residents  - "if she agrees with Lee Anderson MP that London's mayor is 'controlled by Islamists'".

We also asked if the "Tory faithful" supports his views.

Further, we asked: "Was Lee Anderson racist and/or Islamophobic? How should Rishi Sunak have condemned the comments, and how should the party address anti-Muslim and Islamophobic rhetoric?"

A local party spokesperson said he did not have a response to provide directly from Cllr Hampsey. 

Instead we were provided with a statement from the Scottish Conservatives saying: "These comments were inappropriate and offensive, which is why the Prime Minister took decisive action, as well as condemning them unequivocally."

Mr Anderson claimed last week on GB News that Islamists have "control of [London mayor Sadiq] Khan, they've got control of London and they've got control of Starmer as well", referring to the Labour leader.

He later said his words were "a little bit clumsy" but blamed the media for suggesting he "picked on [Khan] because he's Muslim".

He told ITV News: "I didn’t think what religion he was, I just thought, I just think he’s a useless mayor who panders to this certain section of people.”

And the MP for Ashfield claimed he had "overwhelming support" from the public and MPs after the Conservative whip was removed.