Lewisham’s mayor and an MP are among those who have called for a candidate from a far-right minor political party to be uninvited from the Lewisham East by-election hustings.

Anne Marie Waters, an anti-Islam activist formerly of Ukip, is a For Britain candidate in the by-election.

John Hamilton from Bring Back Democracy, which is organising the hustings, said he wrote to Lewisham Council and asked them to forward an invite to all who were standing.

He said Bring Back Democracy was still consulting on whether Ms Waters should be uninvited, but so far only one person from within the group had concerns about Ms Waters speaking.

“All others and all candidates who have replied have said she should take part,” he said.

Ms Waters had spoken at a hustings in the 2015 Lewisham East election, when she stood for Ukip.

Discussions were moderated by a chairman and she did not cause any problems, he said.

“She shared the stage with Heidi Alexander and other candidates at this time,” he said.

But Lewisham Anti-Racist Action Group and Stand Up to Racism say Ms Waters' public stance on Islam meant her platform should be taken away.

Stand Up to Racism co-convenor Harold Wilson alleges Ms Waters will use her platform at the hustings to inspire racism.

“And people who say we are denying her free speech, [should consider how] free speech carries responsibility,” he said.

“She is basing her candidacy on fear and setting people against each other.”

Mr Wilson said Lewisham had “changed significantly from the dark days” of racist attacks in the borough in the 1970s, which culminated in the so-called battle for Lewisham in 1977, which saw hundreds of right-wing extremists march through the borough before clashes with anti-racist protestors prevented them from marching.

Mayor Damien Egan, who supported calls to remove Ms Waters' platform, said:  “There is no place in Lewisham for the hate of For Britain or any other fascist or racist group.”

Lewisham Deptford MP Vicky Foxcroft also supported calls to remove Ms Waters’ platform.

For Britain and Anne Marie Waters have been contacted for comment.