Conservative councillors have accused a prospective MP of “casual racism” after she questioned the Home Secretary’s chicken eating habits.

Earlier this week Home Secretary Sajid Javid decided to strip 19-year-old Shamima Begum of her British citizenship, four years after she travelled to Syria to join Islamic State.

Defending his decision, Mr Javid told ITV: “My number one job is to do whatever I can to keep this country safe and I admit that sometimes when you make these decisions they are not easy decisions.”

Reacting to the announcement, Labour parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green Faiza Shaheen Tweeted: “Sajid Javid definitely orders lemon and herb chicken at Nandos.”

Sajid Javid definitely orders lemon and herb chicken at Nandos

— Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen) 21 February 2019

The post appears to question Mr Javid’s authenticity, implying the Rochdale born Home Secretary – whose parents are Pakistani – stays away from spicy foods.

The Tweet caused a flurry of criticism from East London’s Tory councillors.

Cllr Selina Seesunkur, of Waltham Forest, said: “This is really not acceptable and racist.”

Cllr Mitchell Goldie, also of Waltham Forest, asked: "Casual racism?"

Cllr John Moss, also of Waltham Forest, said: “Is this the sort of casual racism now acceptable for Chingford and Woodford Green?”

Cllr Suzanne Nolan, of Redbridge, added: “Is this really a prospective candidate’s way to behave?”

Defending her tweet, Ms Shaheen said: “This is political correctness gone mad.

“Sajid Javid is a fellow Pakistani who has been widely condemned by the South Asian community and others including Conservative MP Kenneth Clarke, for stripping Shamima Begum of her British citizenship and trying to push the problem on to Bangladesh.

“This tweet was written alongside many others in a similar vein that were expressing this frustration in the South Asian community.

“While Ms Begum clearly needs to be investigated and potentially prosecuted, we need a Home Secretary that can deal with the issue with a level head, rather than play to the gallery.”