A property tycoon who banned Indian and Pakistani tenants because he claimed they left his homes smelling of curry has been ordered to drop the “abhorrent” policy.

Fergus Wilson, who owns hundreds of properties in Kent, was handed the judgement at Maidstone County Court on Wednesday.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission sought an injunction against him after he directed a lettings agency not to rent his homes to “coloured” tenants.

The commission asked the court to decide whether his lettings policy contained “unlawful criteria” and, if so, to issue an injunction to prevent a breach of equality laws.

Chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: “Denial of a home on the grounds of race or colour is abhorrent conduct we do not accept in today’s society.”

After the hearing, Mr Wilson maintained there was a “problem” with people “cooking curries” in their homes.

He said: “It gets into the carpets, it gets into the walls.

“You’ll find that most landlords think the same. I’m here because I said it.”