A MUSLIM community leader tonight offered to teach the peaceful message of Islam to a UK Independence Party (Ukip) canvasser suspended from the party for posting sickening anti-Muslim comments and images on-line.

Wadood Ahmad Daud, a youth leader with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association North-East (AMYA), welcomed Ukip's decision to suspend Tony Nixon – but said he did not want to see the activist prosecuted.

Mr Daud said the Prophet Muhammad spent his life demonstrating that Islam was a religion of peace.

He added: “Mr Nixon's comments seem the result of his ignorance about Islam and its true teachings of peace.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association would be happy to help bring him up to speed on the true teachings of Islam.

“We would rather have a debate to remove misconceptions about Islam than to have someone punished for their ignorance.”

He added: “Muslims are as politically diverse as any other group and we would only hope that any party seeking to lead this great country ensures that all are treated with equality.

“With this in mind it is positive to see that UKIP has moved quickly to suspend members who demonstrate prejudice.”

 Tony Nixon, of Great Broughton, near Stokesley, North Yorkshire, made national headlines on Thursday after The Northern Echo revealed how he had made jokes on Facebook about destroying mosques, setting Muslims on fire and running over people from Pakistan with a bus.

The profile of the Ukip member, who claims to have canvassed 800 homes in the Stokesley area in the run-up to today's county council elections, also revealed that he supported numerous right-wing groups, including local branches of the English Defence League (EDL).

The account features several offensive photographs, including an image of President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, which had been doctored to make the couple look like monkeys and a photograph of pigs eating copies of the Koran.

North Yorkshire Police said last night that it was looking at whether any crime had been committed by Mr Nixon.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the issue and officers are investigating to establish if any offences have been committed.

“It would not be appropriate to comment further until these enquiries are completed.”

Mr Nixon was canvassing in the Stokesley area where Ukip candidate David Troughton stood today.

The Northern Echo was unable to contact Mr Nixon today.