THE leader of Poole People Party has said a "mistake" led to a Facebook post being shared that opposition politicians labelled as "worrying".

Poole Labour Party criticised the act, which involved a piece of text that could be interpreted as extreme nationalism.

Cllr Mark Howell said the volunteer, who was on the party's Facebook account, did not intend the share the post on the social media platform.

A statement from Sarah Ward, chair of Poole Labour Party, said the post was "divisive", "hateful" and "provocative".

"The fact that Poole People Party were prepared to share this post to their own page is very revealing and worrying," Ms Ward said."

Cllr Howell said Poole People informed the Labour Party that the action was a mistake and had been immediately rectified.

He added that the group would never intend to spread a message of division or hatred.

"It is something we would rather have not happened, but it was mistake and an accident," Cllr Howell said.

"The volunteer called me up immediately and apologised for it.

"We contacted the Labour Party immediately."