A LEADING Conservative in Wirral is facing a libel and slander trial after allegedly calling a party colleague an Islamic terrorist.

Dick Calver, the former chairman of Wirral West Conservative Association, is also alleged to have implied Bahram Noorani instigated a number of threats to disfigure Mr Calver’s wife with acid and burn down the couple’s home.

Mr Noorani, a property developer, is seeking substantial damages from Mr Calver, and the case is due to be heard at Liverpool High Court in March.

Mr Calver denies the allegation of calling Mr Noorani an “Islamic terrorist” and claims Mr Noorani had asked a 16-year-old to make threats to him.

Last night, Michael Sandys, of Kirwans Solicitors, acting for Mr Noorani, and Rex Makin and Co, acting for Mr Calver, declined to comment.

The court case is the latest row to have rocked West Wirral Conservative Association – 14 months ago, party leaders were forced to deny they had “pressed the self-destruct button” in the constituency which is a key marginal seat for the Tories.

The case stems from an argument over the way the association was being run in summer of 2007.

Papers lodged with the court include the text of a letter Mr Calver sent to between 25 and 30 members of the executive committee of the Wirral West Conservative Association.

Mr Calver details in the letter how he argued with Mr Noorani over the phone, and then how on the same evening he received a number of “sinister calls”.