Shaun LowthorpeUK Independence Party candidate Glenn Tingle yesterday issued an apology after admitting making derogatory remarks online about people in Afghanistan and suggesting that Britain should blow up Iran if the country develops a nuclear weapon.Shaun Lowthorpe

UK Independence Party candidate Glenn Tingle yesterday issued an apology after admitting making derogatory remarks online about people in Afghanistan and suggesting that Britain should blow up Iran if the country develops a nuclear weapon.

Mr Tingle, who is standing in Norwich North for UKIP, made the remarks on a website which invited candidates to answer a series of questions.

The UKIP candidate, who came fourth in last year's by-election with 4,068 votes, responded to an invitation by TheyWorkForYou.com to give his views and make comments on questions ranging from climate change to immigration and from the honesty of politicians to whether Britain should leave the European Union.

But the former Army medic's most contentious comments surrounded military matters.

When asked: 'Even if Iran develops a nuclear weapon, Britain should not support any military action against Iran' he replied that he strongly disagreed and stated 'We should blow them up first.'

On the matter of whether British troops should stay in Afghanistan as long as they are needed, he again strongly disagreed -but then added an offensive comment about the Afghan people.

It is not the first time a candidate has got in to hot water over comments they made on the internet. Last week Labour suspended South-East Cambridgeshire candidate John Cowan, a Norfolk parish councillor, amid allegations he posted 'unacceptable messages' online.

Mr Tingle could not be contacted yesterday, but A UKIP spokesman said: 'As an ex-serviceman himself, Mr Tingle is very passionate about matters relating to British service personnel and their safety. In this instance, he has allowed his passion to get the better of good taste in terms of the language and black humour he has displayed in answering the questions in the 'They Work for You' candidate's questionnaire.

'He deeply regrets any offence he has caused through using such intemperate language,' the spokesman said. ' UKIP strongly supports free speech but candidates are expected to use language suitable for all audiences and Mr Tingle will be mindful of this in future'.