A Conservative politician is being investigated after an audio recording said to be him saying ‘all white men should have a black man as a slave’ was unearthed.

Andrew Edwards is a councillor at Pembrokeshire county council in Wales and has left the local Tory party while the probe takes place.

Mr Edwards, a self-employed hairdresser, is also accused of saying that black people are ‘lower class than whites’ in the 16-second audio clip.

The recording emerged online and is believed to be Mr Edward’s voice. It isn’t known when or where the clip was recorded.

During the recording, the speaker says: ‘Nothing wrong with the skin colour at all.

‘I think all white men should have a black man as a slave or black woman as a slave, you know.

‘There’s nothing wrong with skin colour, it’s just that they’re lower class than us white people.’

Mr Edwards has referred himself to the Public Services Ombudsman and stood down from his local Conservative group while the investigation takes place.

He said: ‘I am aware of such serious allegations being made against me.

‘It is now in the hands of legal experts and the ombudsman. It would be unfair on the process for me to comment.”

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire council said: ‘We are aware of an allegation being made and have referred the matter to the ombudsman. It would be inappropriate to comment further.’

The council’s Tory group leader, Di Clements, said: ‘These are extremely serious allegations. It has been mutually agreed that Cllr Edwards will leave the group while the matter is under investigation.’

The Public Services Ombudsman confirmed it had received Mr Edwards’ self-referral.

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