text: Huw Thomas (pictured) suggested on an online forum in 2006 that England flags were for a 'simpleton' or a 'casual racist' A Labour parliamentary candidate has apologised 'wholeheartedly' for telling people to throw 'Tippex' over cars displaying England flags. Huw Thomas, the Labour candidate in Ceredigion, West Wales, suggested on an online forum in 2006 that the flags were for a 'simpleton' or a 'casual racist'. He posted his views on a Welsh language website called Mais E writing during the 2006 World Cup: 'I agree it is totally sickening the number of English flags to be seen around Wales. 'It really shows the level our society has been infiltrated by immigrants who aren't ready to integrate.' He also stated: 'I got the opportunity when I was offered an English flag for half price in WHSmiths Oxford to answer with the sentence: "Since I am neither a simpleton nor a casual racist I must decline your offer".' Mr Thomas then had a suggestion for anyone annoyed by flags on cars. '... TIPPEX - throw a bottle of the stuff over the car, it will look ridiculous - especially if it's a shiny boy racer-ish car. 'It will take hours to clean it - or money in the car-wash and, without looking closely, it will look like bird poo!' Mr Thomas said he made the comments as 'a young student' and he no longer held those views. In a statement he said: 'I apologise wholeheartedly for these comments, made while I was a young student. These are not my views now and I deeply regret writing this post online. 'Every candidate at this election will have gone through a political journey. Most will have said or thought things when they were young and at university, college or school that they now regret. This is certainly the case for me.' The Labour parliamentary candidate apologised 'wholeheartedly' for telling people to throw 'Tippex' over cars displaying England flags (file picture) He added that people in Ceredigion 'deserve an MP that will admit when they are wrong'. It comes after senior Labour MP Emily Thornberry stood down in November after publishing a picture of a house in Rochester draped in England flags. The MP for Islington South and Finsbury, in North London, took the snap while canvassing in the by-election in Rochester and Strood and was accused of being 'snobby' and 'sneering down her nose' at working class voters. Labour MP Emily Thornberry stood down in November after publishing a picture of a house in Rochester draped in England flags .
target: Huw Thomas made comments on internet forum during World Cup in 2006 .
  Labour candidate for Ceredigion said the number of England flags in Wales was 'totally sickening'
  Apologises 'wholeheartedly' for the remarks he made as a young student .