A diversity charity has been forced to deny it is affiliated with any political party after it was named on the front page of the Daily Telegraph in a list of small business owners who support the Conservative Party.

Yesterday the Daily Telegraph published a letter purportedly signed by 5,000 small business owners hoping “to see David Cameron and George Osborne given the chance to finish what they started”.

The list included Keith Dewhurst, chair of equalities charity Diverse Cymru, and Conservative Party candidate for the Cynon Valley seat.

Diverse Cymru said in a statement that Dewhurst is an active member of the Conservatives, but that “these activities are independent to and separate from the work he undertakes on behalf of the charity”.

The charity said: “Diverse Cymru is a registered charity and would like to state categorically that we are not affiliated with, allied to or supporters of any political party in compliance with the relevant Charity Commission laws, regulations and guidelines.

“At Diverse Cymru, we aim to make a real difference to people’s lives by reducing inequality, increasing independence and raising awareness of equality issues.

"To achieve these aims we engage with all elected officials and decision makers, regardless of their political party and affiliation, to work on policies that actively promote and secure equality across Wales.

“Diverse Cymru’s name should not and should never appear on any list of political endorsements such as the one published today in the Telegraph of entrepreneurs of small businesses, neither of which terms apply to Diverse Cymru.”

The charity believes it was included by mistake and has contacted the Conservative Party to remove its name and make sure it is not cited in the future. It has also promised to look into how it was included in the list.

Last night it tweeted: "We are aware today's story has caused a lot of interest and questions. Rest assured we are looking into what exactly has happened and why."

Diverse Cymru was registered with the Charity Commission in 2011 and for the year ending December 2014 had an income of £1.2m. Funders include Cardiff County Council, the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff and Vale University Local Health Board, Arts Council for Wales, Comic Relief and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The charity provides a range of advice services to people facing inequality and also carries out awareness-raising activities.