Conservative politician, Andrew Edwards, is being investigated due to leaked racist comments.

Edwards, a County councillor and former magistrate in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was heard saying “all white men should have a Black man as a slave” and that Black people are of “lower class” than white people, during a 16-second clip that has gone viral online.

The Conservative group on Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it was investigating the allegations and the MP has now been suspended from the party.

Mr Edwards, who is also a school governor, was allegedly heard in  the 16-second recording saying: “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.”

It is not clear when or where the clip was recorded as well as how it was obtained.

Mr Edwards has since responded to the allegations and said:

“I am aware of such serious allegations being made against me.”

“This is why I have self-referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for an independent evaluation.”

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

A Pembrokeshire council spokesperson said:

“We are aware of an allegation being made and have referred the matter to the ombudsman.”

“It would be inappropriate to comment further.”

According to the council’s Conservative group leader, Di Clements, Mr Edwards left the party group on the council on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the Labour group said:

“The views contained within this recording are disgusting.”

“Racism has absolutely no place in our society, let alone in the views expressed by an elected member on Pembrokeshire County Council.”

Andrew Edwards has been approached for comment and has seemingly deactivated all personal social media accounts.