A CANDIDATE in the race to become Middlesbrough’s next mayor described Islam as a “barbaric 7th Century cult”.

Former English and maths lecturer Peter Longstaff has revealed he is an independent candidate in the running to be elected Middlesbrough Mayor on May 2.

Announcing his candidacy on his Facebook page, the 62-year-old dad and grandad, described himself as a Christian who believes in Christian values.

Opening with “Please Please Please let me work for you,” Mr Longstaff said, if elected, he would take “a no nonsense approach to anti social behaviour, crime and law breaking, so people can go about their business without fear”.

He also recommends a car share scheme to help tackle the Marton Crawl and said he intends to supply “every female, over the age of 18, with a £2 monthly voucher against the cost of sanitary products”.

On Roy Chubby Brown’s recent Middlesbrough Town Hall ban, Mr Longstaff said: “In my opinion he shouldn’t have been stopped in the first place.

“He may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they are given fair warning that if easily upset they shouldn’t buy a ticket.”

Away from his manifesto, Mr Longstaff posts about a variety of political topics.

After sharing one post urging a national supermarket to “stop pandering to Muslims” following a customer complaint regarding halal food, Mr Longstaff wrote: “I don’t agree with it because it is cruel and barbaric and if a product (even Fairy liquid) has halal certificate on it, the shops/manufacturers pay a tax that funds mosques and the Muslim communities.

“I don’t want to support this barbaric, 7th Century cult in any way.”

Later he added: “Keep telling the wife to check what she buys and have told her if she brings anymore halal s**t I’ll turn into a Muslim and then get another three wives!! lol.”

Mr Longstaff is one of four mayoral candidates.

Cllr Mick Thompson was selected in November as Labour’s candidate after current mayor Dave Budd said he would not be stand for a second term.

Businessman and charity leader Andy Preston confirmed he would run as an independent in March.

And Ken Hall officially announced he would stand as the Conservative candidate later that month.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has attempted to contact Mr Longstaff for comment.