A UKIP council candidate who was banned from a meeting for being “disruptive” says he was kicked out because of his political beliefs.

Patrick Lowe was escorted out of the Moulsecoomb Local Action Team (LAT) meeting by two PCSOs on the instruction of chairwoman, Labour Councillor Anne Meadows.

He is standing to be a councillor for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean in the Brighton and Hove City Council elections in May.

Mr Lowe, who lives in Coldean, said he was “shaking” after the incident, which he branded “unfair.”

He said: “I wanted to hear what was being discussed. When I arrived I was turned away and told the meeting was for residents only but the chairman doesn’t even live in the area.

“I don’t live very far away.

“I’ve attended other LAT meetings in the city and this has not been a problem.

“It was because we are political rivals and that is wrong.

“I am very concerned police acted on instructions from the chairman.

“Other members of the meeting were not allowed a say.”

A police spokesman said: “Two PCSOs were attending a community local action team meeting in Moulsecoomb on Wednesday, February 11.

"The chairman had asked a member of the public to leave as his presence was disrupting the meeting and the person refused.

“The PCSOs then asked him to leave and he did so peacefully. There was no cause for any other police intervention.

“We have received no complaint about police conduct.”

Coun Meadows, who represents the area but lives in Patcham, declined to comment to The Argus but offered a statement from meeting secretary Lynn Burtenshaw on behalf of the committee.

It claimed Mr Lowe was using the group to “score” political points and said: “Mrs Meadows was acting as requested by the resident committee.”

The statement also said the group's constitution makes it “very clear” residents and service providers in Moulsecoomb are welcome to take part and added: “Mr Lowe lives in Coldean and has no business premises within the allotted area and therefore does not meet the criteria set out.”

The group meets every second Wednesday of the month at the Moulsecoomb Leisure Centre, in Moulsecoomb Way, Brighton.

On the Moulsecoomb Local Action Team website it states: “Everyone is welcome to come along. Free coffee and a warm welcome await you.”