A BNP London Assembly candidate has quit after a row over controversial comments he made on his blog.

Nick Eriksen, who lives in Richmond, was criticised after it was revealed he had posted comments saying women would be more bothered by having their handbag stolen than by being raped.

Until his resignation Mr Eriksen BNP's London organiser was the second-highest candidate on its list for the Assembly.

In the posts, made under the name Sir John Bull in August 2005, the former Tory councillor wrote: "I've never understood why so many men have allowed themselves to be brainwashed by the feminazi myth machine into believing that rape is such a serious crime ... Rape is simply sex. Women enjoy sex, so rape cannot be such a terrible physical ordeal."

He added: "To suggest that rape, when conducted without violence, is a serious crime is like suggesting force-feeding a woman chocolate cake is a heinous offence."

A spokesman for the British National Party explained this morning that although Mr Eriksen had done the "honourable thing" and resigned he felt his comments were taken out of context.

"The BNP is a party that is tough on crime. And to prevent any confusion Nick has decided to do the honourable thing and resign," the spokesman said.

On the blog - billed as Britain's most hard-hitting, controversial and politically incorrect - Mr Eriksen also states men are more intelligent than women, and mums who use nannies are not fit to care for their children.