Reform UK has expelled its candidate in a Sefton council by-election after “unacceptable” comments surfaced on social media.

The party confirmed it had removed its support for Irene Davidson, who was due to stand as a candidate in the Blundellsands by-election on 19 June.

Davidson’s X account has now been deleted.

Some of the posts from Davidson’s account, seen by the BBC, included a cartoon of King Charles labelled as a traitor, and calls for Islam to be “eradicated” from the UK.

Despite being expelled from the party, Davidson will still appear on the ballot paper as Reform UK’s candidate as the papers have already been printed.

Reform candidate expelled over social media posts, BBC