A Liberal Democrat candidate has stepped down after racial and homophobic slurs were sent from his Twitter account.

Kevin McNamara, the party’s candidate for Thurrock, said he was “deeply sorry for the comments” he made in a series of offensive tweets which appeared to be from 2009 and 2010.

His Twitter account was set to private but screenshots shared on the platform suggested repeated use of the n-word.

The party had opened disciplinary investigations into tweets he posted in the past.

McNamara said: “I am deeply sorry for the comments that I made that are currently being reported in the press. These words are deeply offensive and I apologise profusely to everybody that I have offended with these tweets.

“I would never want to undermine the voices of those communities with slurs or degradation and it’s important that people who want to represent the public are held to the very highest standard.

“I am resigning as a candidate with immediate effect for the upcoming election.

“I apologise to all of those I have let down with my past conduct and will work hard to regain their trust.”

A Liberal Democrat spokeswoman said: “Kevin McNamara has now resigned as PPC for Thurrock. A disciplinary process has been instigated.”