Donald Trump's anti-Muslim call: Senior Tory councillor says Republican candidate was 'probably correct'

The presidential candidate said all Muslims should be banned from entering the US 'until Congress can figure out what is going on'

Conservative councillor Bill Sharp said Donald Trump was "probably correct" about Muslims (Twitter/Bill Sharp)

A senior Conservative councillor has backed Donald Trump’s controversial vow to ban all Muslims from the US - saying he is “probably correct”.

Councillor Bill Sharp, the Deputy Leader of Castle Point Borough Council in Essex for more than 30 years, tweeted that the Republican presidential candidate’s call for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US” was the right move.

When challenged by fellow Twitter users, Councillor Sharp, 58, refused to back down.

"I believe a short-term control as suggested will be safer for both Americans and Muslim immigrants," he said.

“The Islamic community in [Castle Point] are my friends thanks.


 Bill Sharp refused to retract his comments about the presidential contender
 (Twitter)

“What I did was support a view from an American for America.”

It comes as Mr Trump faced widespread criticism for his plans, with Tory backbench MP Sarah Wollaston joining calls on Home Secretary Theresa May to bar him from the UK.

It follows Mr Trump's other controversial comments, including his call for a national database of Muslims following the Paris attacks - drawing comparisons with Hitler’s treatment of the Jews in Nazi Germany.

The Tuesday edition of US tabloid the Philadelphia Daily News ran a front page picture of Mr Trump with his hand raised and the headline “The New Furor”.

The Independent has contacted Councillor Sharp for comment.