A LONDON-based Islamic group has targeted Bolton West candidate Chris Green as part of a social media campaign to oust 14 former Tory MPs in marginal seats.

The Muslim Public Affairs Committee (MPACUK) claims they are 'Islamophobic' and supporters of Israel but provides no evidence for the assertion.

It is part of is 'Operation Muslim Vote' which is encouraging Muslims to vote for the Labour Party in the December 12 General Election..

In 2005 MPACUK launched a high-profile but unsuccessful campaign to oust then Blackburn MP and Labour Cabinet minister Jack Straw over the Iraq War.

This year's campaign uses social media including Twitter and WhatsApp to vote Labour and campaign to defeat the 14 former Tory MPs, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who are defending small majorities.

It's Twitter feed says: "MPACUK is campaigning against 14 Islamophobic MPs, incl 6 ministers & Boris.

"In 3 elections, we kicked out 8 MPs & Ministers. This election, help us kick out 14."

It's website says there are enough Muslim voters in each of the 14 seats to defeat the Conservative candidate

Mr Green had a majority of 936 in the 2017 General Election.

Also on the list is foreign Office minister Andrew Stephenson who had a majority of 1,279 in his Pendle seat in East Lancashire.

Mr Green said: "The key message is that there is no evidence for the assertions that are being made.

"I'm not surprised that the allies of Jeremy Corbyn are using every trick in the book during this election but I don't believe that people in Bolton will be duped."

His Labour opponent Julie Hilling said: “I don't know what's in Chris Green’s heart but if he will try and police what Muslim women wear and if he will attack charities which help desperate human beings fleeing conflict, then he shouldn't really be surprised when British people from religious and other minorities feel he's not the best representative for them.

"On December 12 I believe the good and kind people of Bolton West will prove him wrong."

Liberal Democrat candidate Rebecca Forrest said: "Islamophobia, anti-semitism or any other form of religious discrimination has no place in modern Britain. Voters should be able to have confidence in their representatives and, where they do not, they are entitled to campaign against them or for another candidate by any legitimate means. Chris Green should make clear he is not Islamophobic."

Green Party candidate Paris Hayes declined to comment.

An MPAC spokesman said: ""All of our statements concerning candidates we are campaigning against are evidenced by their public record via Hansard and Public Whip. As parliamentary candidates, they have a record of supporting Islamophobic policies that have included the expansion of the Prevent duty and Schedule 7 powers. Both have been highly discriminatory against Muslims already.

"In addition, the stripping of citizenship during the Windrush scandal has shown that innocent British citizens, who helped build this country, are vulnerable to the government deporting them at any time.

"As with all forms of prejudice, Islamophobia and Xenophobia has been used as a scapegoat for the crushing consequences of years of austerity."