Greg Lance - Watkins (Greg_L-W)
Ukip have been accused of knowingly permitting a number of criminals, racists and homophobes to stand as candidates in the last general election.
Nigel Farage’s party was reportedly aware of at least 14 of its candidates who had committed grievous bodily harm and were guilty of assult.
Internal records have revealed a further 23 candidates expressed or supported racist, homophobic, Islamophobic or sexist views.
Ukip supporters Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
The Times reports that whilst most of the potential candidates were initially dismissed, a number successfully appealed the decision and were allowed to run as councillors and MPs.
The reports shwo that one candiate was allowe dto run, despite the Party being made aware that they had described the Prophet Muhammad as a “criminal psychopath” and supported the English Defence League.
Another described an online picture of two people posing with monkeys as an “arranged interracial marriage”.
Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP Photo: Reuters
Despite sharing far-right videos on social media and speaking at “gay-cure” events, eleven candidates were allowed to stand as MPs.
In 2014 David Soutter was taken on as head of candidates and was responsible for vetting prospective politicians for the party.
However, The Times has seen evidence that of the 200 candidates who were initially blocked by Mr Soutter’s team; at least 115 were able to convince Mr Soutter that they should run.
Patrick O’Flynn, UKIP Economic spokesman and UKIP Deputy Chairman Suzanne Evans speak to the media during a UKIP policy briefing in London Photo: EPA/ANDY RAIN
Speakig in April last year, Mr Farage said he expected to find candidates with extreme views or questionable backgrounds but insisted that no party was immune from such controversies.
A Ukip spokesman said: “Our candidates team looked at thousands of candidates last year and generally associations such as this would raise a red flag.
“Discretion was held by the then head of candidates, Mr Soutter.”
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