Storm as Tory MP sends e-mail saying most criminals are black

London: The Tories faced another race row yesterday after an MP suggested the majority of criminals are black.

Essex MP Bob Spink was said to have made the claims in an exchange of e-mails with a constituent.

His comments will embarrass David Cameron who has been trying to move the party on and give ammunition to Labour MPs who claim that despite the Tory leader's progressive image the party's grassroots have not changed.

In an e-mail from a constituent, Spink was asked: "Are you saying that a lot more criminals are black than white - or that there are more black people in jail than white because they are stopped more often?" The MP replied: "The former and that's what people don't seem to like. But I didn't enter a beauty contest when I became an MP!!!!"

He claimed the problem was ignored because of "political correctness". Spink later refused to confirm or deny the contents of the e-mails but said he "deplored" racism.