LABOUR'S equality chief is demanding to know why a man who shared controversial Facebook posts "could ever have been in charge" of Bradford City Women’s Football Club.

Bradford West MP Naz Shah, who became shadow minister for women and equalities last year, said "questions need to be asked" of the club after its chairman resigned from his role with immediate effect amid controversy over ‘Ban the Burka’ posts.

Mark Hird, who is an ex-serviceman, only took over the post at the end of last month following the departure of long-standing club stalwart Sally Thackray.

He has departed just weeks into his role, after facing questions into his social media activity, with one concerned fan alerting the Telegraph & Argus to posts he has shared over the last few months.

Several make reference to banning the Burka from Britain, others claim that Muslims should ‘adhere to our laws’ and leave if they don’t like it, while one encourages women in an argument to do “less nagging and more gagging”.

Ms Shah condemned the Facebook posts, saying she was horrified by what she described as the “Islamophobia and sexism” in them. The MP is now pressing the club for reassurances that this kind of thing never happens again.

The club said it had "accepted the immediate resignation" of Mr Hird and was quick to point out that it has a "zero tolerance policy towards any kind of negative discrimination."

Ms Shah said: “I’m appalled by the Islamophobia and sexism in the posts but for me, it also raises serious concerns as to why he was in that position, as chairman of a women’s football club, in the first place. He clearly wasn’t fit for the role so further questions need to be asked of the club. I’ll be writing to them to seek reassurances to make sure that this never happens again.

“I’m disgusted with the Facebook posts and it’s all the more shocking as Bradford is one of the most diverse cities in the UK.

“There’s been so many national and local campaigns to kick racism out of sports, and football in particular, that you wonder how this man could ever have been in charge of Bradford City’s women.”

The fan who first drew attention to the posts said: “I’m absolutely disgusted to check out the new Bradford City Women’s chairman’s Facebook page.

“How are our Muslim children meant to carry on playing girls football here? He needs sacking. What a disgrace to our ladies football club.

“We need a chairman that’s going to support all races and religions. The club will go to ruin otherwise, I mean it’s 2019.

“They have been holding open days at the club throughout this month for new players and there were open trials for the ladies (of all races and religions) yesterday too.”

The fan also claimed that Mr Hird had other posts which had been blocked by Facebook, saying she had no idea of the content in there.

She called the whole situation “scary”.

After the T&A brought the concerns to the club’s attention, a statement was issued on the situation.

Matthew Kermode, Bradford City Women’s club secretary, said: “Bradford City WFC have accepted the immediate resignation of chairman Mark Hird following recent allegations made against him.

“We would like to go on record as a club that we have a zero tolerance policy towards any kind of negative discrimination, whether it is racist, homophobic or any other form.

“As a result, I will be stepping up from my role as secretary to interim chairman with immediate effect until a suitable replacement is found.

“I will continue to work with our players, coaches, parents, committee and the local community to progress and develop our club in preparation for an exciting new season.”

The T&A rang Mr Hird to give his version of events, but he declined to comment.

He was unveiled as chairman on May 30, after Ms Thackray ended her 22 year association with the City Women’s team.

He said he was looking to bring stability to the club after a difficult season.