AN MP and his predecessor have slammed a "fascist and racist" leaflet that was handed out anonymously before a meeting to discuss Brexit in Helston on Friday evening.

The leaflet attacked former St Ives Lib Dem MP Andrew George, who later called its authors "bigoted cowards".

The meeting was organised by current St Ives MP, Conservative Derek Thomas, who described the letter as "complete filth".

Mr George said: "A fascist/racist leaflet attacking me and non-white migrants was being freely handed out when I attended the public meeting arranged by the local Conservative MP in Helston this evening (Friday).

"Not a good start to a meeting where important issues around Brexit were to be debated. I had previously offered to present an alternative view to the hard Brexit views of the MP and his UKIP co-speaker, but had been told (by the MP) not to attend.

"The speakers told the audience that giving the people a vote on the final Brexit deal would unleash the forces of the extreme right. But all the audience (except me) had just been handed evidence that it was Brexit and the 2016 referendum that had already unleashed this.

"The bigoted cowards who produced this anonymous conspiracist tirade didn't own up, of course, when I was forced to challenge people at the meeting.

"Please join me in standing up to these people. Yes, I believe we must campaign for "the politics of hope" against the politics of racism and bigotry. We will not be intimidated."

Derek Thomas, MP for St Ives

Mr Thomas said he had no idea who the author of the letter was.

He said: "The first I saw of the A4 letter was when it was referred to in the meeting. I discussed it afterwards with a gentleman who is not a supporter of mine, but who advised me that the persons distributing the letters where walking down the road when he arrived for the meeting.

"The letter was not distributed in the venue and I’m sure the author was not present.

"I have retained a copy and will be forwarding a copy to the police on Monday. It’s complete filth."

A copy of the letter can be read below: