Karen Newman, vice president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, criticised the move, saying “it beggars belief”.
“We have contacted the Conservative Party to set out our concerns and call on them to rescind his selection and review their vetting processes,” she said.
Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance, whose Yeovil constituency includes Crewkerne, said: “Residents deserve to feel confident in those seeking to represent them.
“Public service is built on trust, and elected representatives have a responsibility to bring communities together and uphold the highest standards in public life.”
Mr Dance added that “it is now for the Conservative Party to explain why it believes this candidate is fit to serve, and what this says about its approach to inclusivity and respect”.
And Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote: “Is this part of the ‘new generation’ of Conservative candidates Kemi Badenoch is promising?”