A politician has sparked a furious row after an x-rated comment aimed at leading Conservatives was posted on his website.

David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Margaret Thatcher were all targeted by the four-letter expletive on Councillor Bob Smthyerman’s website.

Tory rivals are now insisting the Liberal Democrat, who is standing for re-election to the Taring ward of Worthing Borough Council, withdraws his candidacy.

But Coun Smytherman, who is also election agent for Worthing West candidate Hazel Thorpe, has refused the calls stating he “will be judged at the ballot box”.

Council leader Paul Yallop said: “He has clearly muddied the political waters.

“At a time when we should be looking to clean up politics, this is clearly not the sort of behaviour people should expect from their elected representatives.”

Coun Yallop said he would be writing to James Doyle, leader of the Lib Dem group on the council, about the issue.

Conservative MP Peter Bottomley, who is standing for re-election in Worthing West, said: “The question is why it was there in the first place. It is clearly inappropriate.”

The image was uploaded by Coun Smytherman onto part of his website called Tory Watch.

Other pictures include an image depicting Cameron stating “Scum - I want you to help me wreck the minimum wage” and a defaced sign stating “Vote Conservative - I'd rather die”.

A complaint was sent to South East Employers (SEE), an independent group which represents councils in the region.

Coun Smytherman told The Argus he would not stand down from either role.

He added: “Once I was asked to remove the post by SEE I did.

“I do not believe the other things are causing any offence but if they are then I’m happy to remove them.”