The secretary of Croydon Central Labour Party has been suspended for reportedly backing Ken Livingstone's comments about Hitler and Zionism.

David White expressed support for Mr Livingstone’s comments in a tweet sent to a local newspaper reporter.

Mr White said the former London mayor had been "largely accurate" when he described the Nazi leader as a Zionist.

Writing to Croydon Advertiser reporter Gareth Davies, Mr White said: "The odd thing is Ken's references to Hitler were largely accurate (google Haavara agreement) but way it was put unfortunate.”

He later deleted the message.

A former Greater London Council member, Mr White confirmed on Twitter today that he had been suspended.

Steve Reed, MP for Croydon North, had hinted action had been taken against Mr White. Mr Reed tweeted that it would be "inappropriate to comment on a live internal disciplinary matter".

A Labour spokesperson said:“David White has been suspended from the Labour Party pending an investigation.”

Mr White told the Inside Croydon blog that it was "unwise, whatever the historical facts, to conflate Zionism with Hitler".