A LABOUR candidate from Sale has stepped down amid claims she posted and shared anti-Semitic comments on social media.

Diane Hatton, who is secretary of the Brooklands Labour group, was selected as the party’s candidate for Brooklands in next year’s local elections.

But she has taken the decision to step down following complaints and an investigation being launched by the Labour Party.

Last week, posts apparently shared from a Twitter account in her name referred to a conspiracy theory about antisemitism in the Labour Party.

Another tweet attributed to Mrs Hatton's account dated June 28, 2016, said: "I was just wondering am i in Sale in Cheshire England 2016 or am i in Berlin Germany 1939. will we be reopening the concentration camps."

A representative for the Jewish Labour Movement North West said: “Mrs Hatton’s comments were reported to both the local and national (Labour) Party in September.

“Given that she is now under investigation it is our view that she should not be a candidate.”

Trafford Council refused to comment, saying it was a matter for the Labour Party.

But council and Labour leader Cllr Andrew Western took to social media to issue a statement saying: “I was informed on Wednesday (last week), that an investigation has been launched by the Labour Party into allegations made against a local election candidate in Trafford.

“Immediately, after being informed that an investigation was under way and after consultation with the regional Labour Party, the local party contacted the individual concerned to notify them they would be subject to an internal review of their suitability to remain as a Labour Party candidate.

"That individual has now stood down as a candidate and will not be contesting the 2019 local elections.

“At all times, the local party has acted swiftly and in line with party rules, in consultation with officers of the regional and national Labour Party.

“I am unable to comment on the specific nature of the complaint which in line with party rules will be determined by the national complaints team.

“That said, since being made aware of this I have been in correspondence with the General Secretary of the party to stress the need for a speedy investigation of this complaint.”

A friend of Mrs Hatton’s took to Facebook to express support for her.

She said: “Just read an article in the Jewish telegraph and have noticed the name Diane Hatton who is a long standing friend of mine and ex work colleague has been branded as anti-Semitic. After having known her for at least 20 years and knowing of her interest in politics I cannot believe that somebody has accused her of this and has actually taken the trouble to publish this in a newspaper.

"She does not have an anti-Semitic bone in her body otherwise she would not be a friend of mine! Unbelievable.”

Mrs Hatton said she could not comment while the investigation is ongoing.