A LABOUR candidate will not run for election after causing outrage by distributing a leaflet claiming it was “unchristian” to vote Tory.

It is understood that Vikas Pai, who was set to contest the Heaton and Lostock seat in May’s council election, has also now left the party.

Mr Pai’s election fliers, depicting Jesus clearing the temple of money-lenders, on worshippers cars while they attended a service at St Thomas Catholic Church, in Heaton.

Tory chiefs complained parishioners were “left upset” by the leaflet which claimed it was “sinful” to support the Conservative Party.

They lodged a complaint with the Labour Party, which has now installed John Gillatt as their candidate for the Heaton and Lostock ward

Anne Galloway, Conservative candidate for Heaton and Lostock, said: “To deliberately offend local residents and question their morality and religious belief whilst standing as a candidate to represent their interests is just staggering.”