This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-28853031
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UKIP leader Farage sorry for MEP Janice Atkinson's 'offensive' term | UKIP leader Farage sorry for MEP Janice Atkinson's 'offensive' term |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| UKIP leader Nigel Farage has visited a Thai constituent to apologise after one of the party's MEPs described her as a "ting tong from somewhere". | |
| South East MEP Janice Atkinson was recorded commenting about mobile food seller Fa Munday, by BBC South East Today in Ramsgate, Kent, on Friday. | South East MEP Janice Atkinson was recorded commenting about mobile food seller Fa Munday, by BBC South East Today in Ramsgate, Kent, on Friday. |
| Mrs Munday's husband Vincent said it was outrageous, rude and offensive. | Mrs Munday's husband Vincent said it was outrageous, rude and offensive. |
| Mr Farage told the couple he was "deeply sorry" and "it shouldn't have happened". Ms Atkinson has apologised. | Mr Farage told the couple he was "deeply sorry" and "it shouldn't have happened". Ms Atkinson has apologised. |
| She said: "I deeply regret the words I used and am incredibly sorry. | She said: "I deeply regret the words I used and am incredibly sorry. |
| "It was poor judgement and naivety on my part rather than words spoken with any malice. | "It was poor judgement 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." | "I am devastated that I have caused hurt and apologise profusely to both Mr and Mrs Munday." |
| Ms Atkinson was interviewed by the BBC on Friday and had agreed to be filmed while she met local people and UKIP members in Ramsgate. | Ms Atkinson was interviewed by the BBC on Friday and had agreed to be filmed while she met local people and UKIP members in Ramsgate. |
| She wore a microphone and was aware she was being recorded. | She wore a microphone and was aware she was being recorded. |
| Mr and Mrs Munday have met Ms Atkinson at UKIP rallies. | Mr and Mrs Munday have met Ms Atkinson at UKIP rallies. |
| Mrs Munday said: "I'm from Thailand. I'm married to an Englishman and now I'm British. | Mrs Munday said: "I'm from Thailand. I'm married to an Englishman and now I'm British. |
| "No-one has ever spoken about me like that before." | "No-one has ever spoken about me like that before." |
| Mr Munday said "ting tong" in Thai meant that a person was mad and the comment had come as "a bit of shock". | Mr Munday said "ting tong" in Thai meant that a person was mad and the comment had come as "a bit of shock". |
| "I don't think UKIP are a racist party, but that comment certainly wasn't the brightest thing I've ever heard," he said. | "I don't think UKIP are a racist party, but that comment certainly wasn't the brightest thing I've ever heard," he said. |
| The couple have said that Ms Atkinson should resign. | The couple have said that Ms Atkinson should resign. |