A LEADING Gravesham councillor has defended himself against claims he is a “high-ranking official in a terrorist organisation”.

Northfleet East councillor Narinder Thandi, who is Labour's nominee for deputy mayor, says he works hard for the community and has never hidden his links with the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).

He adds a local newspaper's, damning story contained inaccuracies, and had “done the dirty on him” branding him a terrorist.

The paper incorrectly claimed he was the councillor for Northfleet West who had been elected and was due to be elected deputy mayor.

The ISYF, of which he was general secretary, was banned by the Home Office in the Terrorism Act 2000. Now the organisation, which aims to raise awareness on human rights abuses in the Punjab in India, has disbanded.

Cllr Thandi said: “I believe the political problem should be solved politically and peacefully.

“We are law-abiding people and we don't want to be involved in something deemed criminal.”

He added former members of the group, formed in 1984, will continue to strive for an independent state of Khalistan for Sikhs.

Labour leader Rosemary Leadley said: “The concerns he raises are heart-felt. People have a right to express themselves and fight for what they believe in.

“Local people have enough common sense to ignore a disgraceful story like this, but I do have concerns over where it has arisen from.”

Conservative leader Michael Snelling dismissed the article as sensationalist, saying: “I can assure you the story didn't come from the Conservative party.”

In a letter sent to the newspaper, chairman of the Asian Welfare Society Bakhshish Singh Sodhi wrote: “He has been campaigning relentlessly for a peacefully-negotiated settlement to the dispute in the Punjab.

“I have personally witnessed his calls for an end to violence and bloodshed.”