A TORY council candidate has deleted his Twitter account after a post went up suggesting police "just bomb Bristol" to deal with protesters rioting against the police.

The comments appeared on East Sussex County Council candidate for St Antony's ward Stephen Halbhuber's Twitter account in response to a video showing a number of people painting graffiti on a building during protests against the government's controversial policing bill.

Hundreds of people clashed with police in the city on Sunday while demonstrating against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Fourteen people were arrested as police vans and equipment were destroyed.

After making the comments on social media, The Argus can reveal that Mr Halbhuber has now deleted his Twitter account.

He later tweeted on Monday and apologised for his comments.

READ MORE >> Recap: hundreds march through Brighton in 'Kill the Bill' protest

He said: "I want to apologise unreservedly for my comments last night, and for any offence caused. Needless to say, it is not something that I believe, or would advocate for. In the cold light of day, I completely regret them.

"I have a responsibility to residents to act with propriety and tolerance. Yesterday, I fell beneath that standard, and can only apologise and promise to learn from my mistake."

Several users slammed the Conservative candidate behaviour, with one calling the tweet "disgusting".

One user said: "Local council candidate calling for people to be bombed? Disgraceful behaviour.

The Argus: The tweet in fullThe tweet in full

"You can't even been [sic] trusted with a Twitter account, let alone a council state. Utterly disgraceful behaviour."

Another added: "Is this normal for Conservative Councillor candidates - calling for Bristol to be bombed. Is that normal?"

The clash in Bristol was the latest “Kill the Bill” protest in the city against the legislation which will see the police handed new powers to tackle demonstrations.

In Brighton, hundreds marched through the streets in a peaceful protest.

Masked demonstrators gathered at the Level at about 2pm with placards, where speeches were heard before the crowd set off through the city.

Video footage shows hundreds marching through the centre of Brighton chanting "We will not be silenced".

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police officers attended a protest at the Level, Brighton, on Saturday and used the 'four Es' approach to engage with those present in relation to the government's coronavirus regulations.

"When the protest moved into a march, officers continued to engage throughout while ensuring the safety of those present and keeping disruption to the city centre to a minimum.

"Those attending dispersed after it finished at Hove Lawns."