The BBC has been criticised over the appearance of an Imam on the Conservative leadership TV debate following his comments on social media. 

A number of social media posts from Abdullah Patel, which have since been deleted, contained anti-Semitic rhetoric.

The Imam also appeared on BBC Radio Five Live this morning, with the host since apologising for having him on. 

Nicky Campbell tweeted: "I would like to apologise. 

"We had the Imam from the BBC Tory leadership debate on our programme this morning. His social media comments have been extremely disturbing. 

"We should have checked. We didn’t. I’m sorry."

READ MORE: Erin from Glasgow for Prime Minister vote viewers after BBC debate 

Rob Burley, who edited the programme, said Mr Patel’s Twitter account had been deactivated ahead of his appearance on the BBC debate – meaning his tweets could not be read.

Patel has since deleted his Twitter account again after a number of the tweets were exposed. 

The Herald:

Writing on Twitter after the debate, Mr Patel said he had asked the question because he wanted the candidates to promise that “things would change”, adding: “The hate is real.”

Last night Patel described the responses to his questions as 'disappointing' and 'deluded.'

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: 'Boris Johnson asked me if full fiscal powers would buy off SNP' 

During Tuesday’s debate, Mr Johnson twice appeared to forget the Iman’s name as he attempted to respond to his question.

Candidate Michael Gove said Islamophobia was “repugnant” by also pointed out antisemitism in Labour.

A BBC Spokesperson said: “We carried out background research into the online and social media profiles of all our questioners for last night’s debate. Following the debate, one individual reactivated a public twitter account he had previously deactivated, whose tweets were not visible during our research period.

"Had we been aware of the views he expressed there he would not have been selected.”