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Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis has written to all local Tory officials amid fresh allegations of Islamophobia.

The action by Mr Lewis came on the same day a Conservative council leader was suspended by the party after promoting a social media post that praised ex-English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson as a "patriot".

It is separate to the 14 party members suspended on Tuesday over comments posted on a Facebook group.

Andrew Boles, the leader of Swale Borough Council in Kent, was suspended after sharing a Twitter post defending anti-Islam activist Robinson.

The post, referring to Robinson's recent ban from Instagram and Facebook, said: "The reason he's racist to Muslims. This corruptness needs to stop Tommy is a Patriot."

Mr Bowles apologised "for any offence this may have caused" and admitted he "should not have retweeted this post".

He revealed he has agreed to attend training on "better use and understanding of acceptable use of social media".

"I would like to make it absolutely clear that I do not in any way support Tommy Robinson or have any sympathy whatsoever with the racist and intolerant views promoted by him or his political movement," he said.

Mr Bowles added: "History has taught us that trying to silence people turns them into martyrs and gains them sympathy and publicity.

"My retweet was to express my opposition to various social media platforms banning Tommy Robinson."

Swale Borough Council confirmed they are considering complaints about Mr Bowles' tweet but added: "The current issue is at this stage primarily a matter for the local party."

In a separate row, 11 Labour councillors from East Staffordshire walked out of a council meeting on Monday night after Conservative local mayor Chris Smith refused to answer questions about a social media post he was alleged to have "liked".

It is said to have shown London mayor Sadiq Khan being beheaded by the Queen.

The post was originally shared by another Conservative councillor, Len Milner, who is understood by Sky News to have now resigned from the party after earlier being suspended by his local association for behaviour "not in keeping with Conservative values".

Sky News also understands Mr Smith resigned from the Conservative Party after Monday night's meeting but has not resigned as a councillor or mayor.

His local party had already decided not to re-select him as a candidate for his ward prior to the controversy over the social media post.

In his letter to Conservative local chairmen and group leaders, Mr Lewis said he takes a "zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination and abuse within our party" and has taken "swift action to suspend members… when and where I see it".

"I want you to join me in reaffirming our commitment to condemning and tackling discrimination in any form and at any level within our party, and I look forward to working with you all to ensure the Conservative Party continues to be the party for everyone," he added.

However, former Conservative Party chair Baroness Warsi - who has accused the Tories of "institutional" Islamophobia - dismissed the intervention by Mr Lewis.

She posted on Twitter: "Blah blah ...code of conduct ...blah blah ... respect pledge ...blah blah ....equality & diversity...blah blah...volunteer code ...blah blah ...all forms of discrimination...blah blah ...we act swiftly (in about 3 yrs) ..blah blah ...we don't have a problem."

The Muslim Council of Britain have been calling for an independent inquiry into allegations of Islamophobia within the Conservative Party since 2016.

A spokesperson said: "We keep on seeing case after case of Islamophobia at all levels of the party, with no accountability for the actions of party representatives.

"The fact that a Conservative mayor refuses to clarify why he allegedly liked a post showing the murder of Sadiq Khan, is a matter of urgent investigation.

"Islamophobia is widespread in the Conservative Party, and while our calls for an independent inquiry continue to fall on deaf ears, we reiterate that party leaders must acknowledge their responsibility and root out this problem once and for all."

Sky News has contacted Mr Smith for comment.