Controversial East Yorkshire MP John Townend has not put the Tory party's chances of retaining the seat at risk despite being at the centre of a race row, his successor said today.

Greg Knight, who hopes to take over Mr Townend's constituency, which includes Stamford Bridge and Pocklington, said Mr Townend's comments had been blown out of proportion.

Mr Townend has been told to shut up or be thrown out of the party by leader William Hague after his comments, which included a speech in which he said immigration was turning Britain into a "mongrel" race.

And leading Tory peer Lord Taylor of Warwick, the party's most senior black figure, has demanded his expulsion.

Mr Knight said today: "He ought to spend a little bit of time re-reading what Mr Townend has said.

"What seems to have been overlooked here is that Mr Townend said everyone should be treated equally before the law.

"Although he has made comments I would not have made myself or would want to be associated with, he was highlighting problems with the immigration laws of this country.

"John is well known for speaking his mind. If he has no plans to make more speeches I don't think it will have any effect on the General Election in East Yorkshire one way or the other.

"Although I would have preferred that the comments had not been made, I don't think it will effect my chances."

Lord Taylor has said he would consider leaving the party unless Mr Hague expels Mr Townend.

He said: "William Hague can make all the clever speeches he wants to about race relations, but people will not forget that he refused to act against a racist MP in his own party."

But Mr Knight said: "I don't think that is the case. I support the official party line. As I understand it, Mr Townend has had a formal warning and that seems fair enough to me."

Updated: 11:15 Monday, April 30, 2001