A Sikh student was "outraged" at a Beckenham election hustings after an alleged racist remark from the Ukip candidate.

Gavin Singh-Dhanoa, 17, studies science at Bromley College, in Rookery Lane, and took part in a debate with all five candidates from Beckenham on Wednesday (April 29).

The Lib Dems’ Anuja Prashar, Labour’s Marina Ahman, Ukip’s Rob Bryant, Green’s Ruth Fabricant and Tory incumbent Bob Stewart all took part in the event, organised by the students union (SU).

Gavin, from Farnborough, said: "An important question that I asked was about ethnic minorities not voting, and how they could encourage them to vote.

"It was directed at Rob Bryant, and he was extremely arrogant in his reply. He said something like ‘the pure white ethnicity is a minority’, then he sat down again.

"I was outraged but I laughed. To be honest I didn’t really want to hear what he said after that.

“After he said it he knew he had done badly and sat down.

"Two of the other candidates were Asian. They got up and were both very passionate about their reply.

"They said there should be more ethnic diversity and we should embrace that.

"The Tory guy replied saying he fought with many people, British and of different ethnicities, and saw them as one."

News Shopper:

Gavin Singh-Dhanoa

News Shopper spoke to some of the other candidates, who shared Gavin’s disgust at Ukip’s reply.

Ms Prashar said: “His response was he understood how minorities felt because the indigenous white are now a minority, and then he sat down.

“That was his response to a student asking whether their vote counted and whether they were valued. He demeaned them.

“He demonstrated very clearly there’s a racial and religious element to this. Ukip are dangerous.”

MORE TOP STORIES SU president Isabella Simmonds said: “I think it’s imperative that politicians promote the fact that young people have a say in our society.

“We should be heard and be part of the debate.”

Rob Bryant was contacted for a comment last Wednesday (April 29) but has not responded.