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Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson apologises after calling Thai constitutent a 'ting tong' Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson apologises after calling Thai constituent a 'ting tong'
(35 minutes later)
A Ukip MEP has apologised "profusely" after calling a Thai constituent a "ting tong". The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has become embroiled in fresh controversy, after South East MEP Janice Atkinson called a Thai constituent a “ting tong”.
Janice Atkinson, who represents the south east, was recorded making the comments after meeting Fa Munday, a mobile food seller in Ramsgate, Kent and her husband Vincent. Atkinson’s comments were recorded by BBC South East Today following an interview with the broadcaster. She had met Fa Munday, a mobile food seller in Ramsgate, Kent, and her husband Vincent earlier in the day.
Mr Munday, a Ukip supporter, said the couple had been left shocked by the "outrageous" comments. The MEP and author of Ukip’s welfare policy has since “profusely” apologised for her language.
"It's a bit outrageous, her comments have come as a bit of a shock," he told BBC South East Today. "I'm quite offended." Mr Munday, a Ukip supporter, said the couple were shocked by Atkinson’s “outrageous” comments.
Ms Atkinson's comments were captured by the BBC team while she spoke to local people and Ukip members in Ramsgate. “It's a bit outrageous, her comments have come as a bit of a shock,” he told BBC South East Today. “I'm quite offended.”
She said: "..so that was good. We've got Fa who's, I dunno, she's a ting tong from somewhere." In the audio footage Atkinson can be heard saying: “...so that was good. We've got Fa who's, I dunno, she's a ting tong from somewhere.”
Ms Atkinson insisted the comments were naive rather than malicious and said she was “incredibly sorry” for offending the couple.Ms Atkinson insisted the comments were naive rather than malicious and said she was “incredibly sorry” for offending the couple.
She said: "I deeply regret the words I used and am incredibly sorry. It was poor judgment and naivety on my part rather than words spoken with any malice. I am devastated that I have caused hurt and apologise profusely to both Mr and Mrs Munday.” She said: “I deeply regret the words I used and am incredibly sorry. It was poor judgment and naivety on my part rather than words spoken with any malice. I am devastated that I have caused hurt and apologise profusely to both Mr and Mrs Munday.”
A Ukip spokesman said: “Janice has apologised for the words she used. Ukip in no way condones the use of language that may reflect prejudice or cause offence and we sincerely hope this matter can be resolved privately." A Ukip spokesman said: “Janice has apologised for the words she used. Ukip in no way condones the use of language that may reflect prejudice or cause offence and we sincerely hope this matter can be resolved privately.”
PA Ukip has repeatedly faced public outcry over offensive comments made by its members. Last year Godfrey Bloom resigned following a string of incidents including joking that the party’s female activists were “sluts”, while earlier this year William Henwood, an Enfield council candidate, suggested comedian Lenny Henry should leave Britain to live in a “black country”.
The incident comes days after West Midlands Ukip MEP Bill Etheridge sparked a race-row by praising Adolf Hitler’s behaviour during speeches, while he was training young Ukip members, the Mail on Sunday reported.
Etheridge later released a statement in which he stressed he “did not endorse Hitler or anybody else”.
“I was merely discussing public speaking and the techniques used down the years.”