Keith Mason has been sacked by the Labor Party over ‘anti-Islam’ tweets.

A former rugby player who ran for parliament in West Yorkshire has been sacked by his party over “anti-Islam” tweets.

Keith Mason was due to represent the British Labor Party, led by George Galloway, in Wakefield and Rothwell on July 4 in the general election.

Mr Galloway confirmed he had sacked the former messaging support, Mr Mason apologized.

“I have absolutely 100 percent respect for all my Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said.

Mr Mason, who played for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, St Helens, Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants, allegedly insulted religion in a number of tweets sent in response to other X accounts.

In an apology, he posted: “I grew up with Muslims all my life, I see them as my brothers and sisters and none of them would say I was ever Islamophobic!”

He said he was a Roman Catholic who respected all faiths, adding: “I don’t have to agree with other religions any more than you would with mine, but I respect all my Muslim brothers and sisters 100%.” .

He concluded: “I apologize to anyone who misinterpreted a conversation that came out that way.”

Confirming his sacking, Mr Galloway posted: “Mason has apologized for his historic tweets which were published when he was indeed guilty of anti-Islamic bigotry.

“Looks like repentance isn’t enough in the election game. So he’s gone.”

Mr Mason retired from rugby league in 2013 to pursue an acting career, appearing in the BBC series Peaky Blinders.