A COUNCILLOR has called a decision to block him from sitting on a school's governing body as "despicable".

David Ward, (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) was last week told he could not stand as his party's Parliamentary candidate for Bradford East after Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron claimed previous comments about Israel by Cllr Ward, a former MP, were "anti-Semitic" and did not represent the views of the party.

Cllr Ward has now been told he cannot sit on the board of governors for Hanson School in Swain House after parents raised "concerns".

On Wednesday evening Cllr Ward attended a meeting to appoint a new governing body for the school, which is in his ward.

He told the Telegraph & Argus he had put himself forward as chair of governors, and left the room while others present discussed the possible appointment. He says he was then told not to come back in the room, and that he would not be allowed to be a governor.

Cllr Ward added: "I was told there had been parents who have made comments about me possibly being governor. I don't know what they were.

"I wasn't given any chance to respond. I don't know if the comments were from 20 parents or just two, and I don't know if they were because of my comments on Israel. I think it is despicable."

While an MP, Mr Ward was suspended by the Liberal Democrats in 2013 after making a series of remarks questioning the continuing existence of the state of Israel.

He was also forced to apologise in 2014 after suggesting he might fire rockets into Israel if he lived in Gaza.

The Council-run school is working with Gorse Academies Trust to try to turn around its fortunes after poor exam performances and Ofsted results. Neither the Council nor the trust had responded to the T&A's request for a comment as of going to press.