Tory candidate criticised for sharing Jimmy Savile joke

Mr Whittaker, who served as Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for children and young people between 2007-10 and sat on the Education Select Committee between 2010-15, shared a post which read: “Trust Labour? I’d rather trust Jimmy Savile to babysit.”

The Tweet was in reference to disgraced DJ Jimmy Savile who police believe abused in excess of 500 children during his lifetime.

Josh Fenton-Glynn, Labour PPC for Calder Valley, said: “You would think that someone in his position would have a greater sense of sympathy to these issues - it’s deeply offensive.”

Mr Whittaker has also come under fire from care charities the Care Leavers’ Association and the Who Cares? Trust.

The Care Leavers’ Association wrote on their Twitter account: “We are not happy with @Whittaker4mp comments RE:Jimmy Savile on his Twitter.We would like comment from him,”

The Who Cares Trust wrote: “We are taking this matter very seriously.”

Mr Whittaker has not responded to calls for an apology.