The number two on the local Amsterdam council list for fledgling political party Forum voor Democratie has stepped down after making controversial comments about homosexuality and intelligence.

Yernaz Ramautarsing made the comments in a closed internet group which both the Volkskrant and the Telegraaf reported on at the weekend.

In the discussion, Ramautarsing said that society had become less intelligent because gay men are clever but don’t reproduce, weakening society overall. Local FvD campaign leader Annabel Nanninga, who has been campaigning hard for the right-wing gay vote, said she welcomed his decision to stand down.

Ramautarsing, who has Surinamese roots, came under fire last month after it emerged he had made comments about the link between race and IQ. Nanninga and party leader Thierry Baudet said at the time that the comments had been taken out of context.

Ramautarsing’s name will still appear on the ballot paper but he has told the FvD he will not take his seat if elected to the city council. The party is expected to take two to three seats.