A former UKIP candidate who was deselected over his 'nutty' election literature is now claiming to be the party's 'leading member' in Isleworth.

David W Griffiths was initially chosen to represent the party in his home ward of Isleworth at the local elections this Thursday.

But Hounslow UKIP Group deselected him after learning he had been distributing unapproved flyers in which he listed his two main issues as 'old people' and 'breastfeeding'.

Group leader Colin Botterill called the flyers 'nutty' and also criticised Mr Griffiths' comments on an online forum in which he suggested some people were 'intended by nature' to be slaves. He has since been thrown out of the party, according to Mr Botterill.

Mr Griffiths, who is standing as an independent, has now enraged the group by distributing new flyers in which he claims to be not just a UKIP candidate but the 'leading member in UKIP's Isleworth group.

The leaflet, which has been posted through letterboxes in the ward, says: "As the leading member in UKIP's Isleworth group - it's fallen to me to put out the most literature, and to rely on my name to attract votes...

"Please place me as your first choice, and choose two more from the other three UKIP candidates on offer."

Mr Botterill said he had asked Mr Griffiths 'nicely' to stop claiming to have links to the party, and after that failed had reported the matter to police.

"He's been told he's not a UKIP candidate and he's been thrown out of the party as a member but he doesn't seem to acknowledge it. We want to make it clear to voters that he has nothing to do with the party," added Mr Botterill.

Mr Griffiths denied his UKIP party membership had been withdrawn. He also claimed none of UKIP's candidates in the ward were party members.

getwestlondon was unable to get hold of UKIP for a comment.