Bob Stewart has surrendered the Conservative whip while he considers an appeal of his conviction for a racially aggravated public order offence, a government source has said.

The Beckenham MP was found guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday of racially abusing an activist by telling him to “go back to Bahrain”.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats led calls for Rishi Sunak to act against the “totally unacceptable” behaviour of the 74-year-old backbencher.

A government source told PA news agency on Saturday that Mr Stewart had informed Chief Whip, Simon Hart, that he wished to surrender the party whip until a possible appeal of his conviction was resolved.