A prospective Labour MP has reported his Conservative rival to the police for telling him he was “talking through his turban”.

Philip Dunne, who is seeking re-election as the Tory MP for Ludlow, Shropshire, made the comment to Kuldip Sahota at a hustings event on Wednesday.

Mr Sahota, who is a Sikh, has described the remark as “hateful” and said Boris Johnson is failing to tackle racism in his party.

The Labour candidate said on Friday: “The police have suggested Philip Dunne’s racist comment towards me could constitute a hate crime and I am formally reporting it as such.

“The Conservatives are refusing to suspend Philip Dunne and to strip him of his honour.

“This further exposes Boris Johnson’s lie that he is taking action against racism in his party. In standing by Philip Dunne, he is endorsing hate and prejudice towards Sikhs.

“His comment about my turban was hateful. He shamed and humiliated me in a public attack on my faith and my community.”

West Mercia Police has confirmed it will investigate Mr Sahota’s complaint and will take a formal written statement from the Labour politician this weekend.

Mr Sahota said Mr Dunne did not apologise until he was called out on the remark, and added: “Even when he did, he showed no humility, no self reflection and no understanding of why his words were racist.

“He is not fit to be an elected representative in our diverse, multicultural country.”

The Labour Party has said Mr Dunne, a former minister under David Cameron and Theresa May, told Mr Sahota he was “talking through his turban” when the Labour politician was speaking about Islamophobia.

The party added the Conservatives have ignored calls to suspend Mr Dunne.

The Sikh Tories group said on Twitter that it was disappointed by Mr Dunne’s remark, and wrote: “These comments are simply unacceptable.

“We recognise he has already apologised, and hope he and others will consider their words before referring negatively to the Sikh crown in future.”

Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the first turban-wearing Sikh member of parliament in Britain, said the prime minister has previously claimed Conservative members who make racist comments are “out first bounce”.

Mr Dhesi added: “Once again, Boris Johnson was clearly lying.”

The full list of candidates standing in Ludlow is as follows:

• Philip Dunne, Conservative Party
• Kuldip Sahota, Labour Party
• Heather Kidd, Liberal Democrats
• Hilary Wendt, Green Party

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