BREAKING: Lib Dem leader Tim Farron sacks Bradford East candidate David Ward

The move follows a raucous PMQs, in which both the Prime Minister and outgoing Tory MP slammed the Lib Dems over its failure to tackle anti-Semitism.

Announcing his decision, Mr Farron said councillor Ward is "unfit to represent the party".

"I believe in a politics that is open, tolerant and united," he said.

Mr Ward has been at the centre of a number of anti-Semitism rows in recent years, and faced temporary suspension from the party in 2013 for comments condemning Israel's treatment of Palestine.

The party ruled that his comparison between Israel's actions and the Holocaust risked bringing the party "into disrepute".

In 2015 the former MP caused controversy again after using the word "genocide" to describe the Middle Eastern state's policies.

Speaking at the time, former leader Nick Clegg said the comments were "crass and insensitive".

Mr Ward lost his Bradford East seat to Labour's Imran Hussain in the 2015 general election.

The announcement that he had been selected to contest the seat in June's snap election met with outrage and prompted calls for Mr Farron to intervene.

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