A Bexley councillor has faced a backlash after comparing the Mayor of London's London Plan to Nazi bombing.

In a tweet on February 14, which has been deleted, Crayford ward councillor for the Tories John Davey said the City Hall proposals would "cause the most damage to Bexley" since Hitler's day.

Replying to Labour councillor Danny Hackett, Cllr Davey said: "I have a question for Bexley Labour, how come the Labour London Mayor's proposed London Plan will cause the most damage to Bexley since Herr Hitler dropped his bombs on Bexley?

"Write to the Mayor to oppose his dreadful plan."

Mayor Sadiq Khan's draft London Plan proposes to increase Bexley’s housing targets nearly three-fold, from 446 units a year to 1,245.

The plan would also increase the amount of housing coming from small sites, mainly in Bexley’s residential areas, eight-fold from around 110 units a year to 865 - and introduce a presumption that developments of up to 25 homes would be approved.

A consultation is currently open, with the Mayor's office seeking views until March 2.

Responding to the tweet, one Twitter user said: "What a disgrace from Cllr Davey comparing anything to Hitler is disgusting."

And Cllr Hackett said: "What an absolutely disgraceful comment to make. Why would anyone in their right mind compare Sadiq Khan's London Plan to Hitler?"

Cllr Davey responded, saying: "I don't know, why would they, I did not? I am more concerned with physical damage to Bexley, that I can compare to historic bombing."

News Shopper has contacted Cllr Davey for further comment.

Council leader Teresa O'Neill said that while she did not agree with Cllr Davey's tweet, she would be responding "robustly" herself to the Mayor.

Cllr O'Neill said: “Whilst I don’t agree with the statement made (and it has been removed) it is true that the Mayor’s London Plan proposals are a great concern to Bexley residents - as was evidenced at the recent public meeting - and we will be responding to the consultation robustly and standing up for our residents as always.”

This is the only opportunity for residents to respond to the Mayor's plan, which will have a final version published in autumn next year.

The Mayor of London's office did not wish to comment on Cllr Davey's tweets.