BC Conservative Leader John Rustad is approaching the finish line of the B.C. election the same way he started: On the defensive over stupid, outrageous comments made by his candidates on social media.

Rustad tried to unveil his party’s platform to reform BC Ferries on Thursday, but was pummelled by reporters over why he hasn’t fired Surrey South candidate Brent Chapman for Facebook comments that disparage Muslims.

“They are all little inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs,” Chapman wrote, in posts unearthed by CKNW host Jas Johal this week. “Figuratively and quite literally.”

Chapman has since apologized, saying the comments were “completely unacceptable” and “do not reflect who I am today or the respect and admiration I hold for the Palestinian and Muslim communities.”

Rustad pointed to the apology, and the fact the posts were made in 2015, as rationale to keep Chapman on the ticket.

“Brent has come out and made an apology, we have two Muslims who are running for us and he has spoken to both of them, and they have both accepted this apology,” said Rustad.

“I look at the statement, quite frankly, it’s wrong. It’s something that we do not support. I have also........

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