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UKIP's Neil Hamilton withdraws from Basildon selection process | UKIP's Neil Hamilton withdraws from Basildon selection process |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Former Tory MP Neil Hamilton has withdrawn from the selection process to become a prospective parliamentary candidate for UKIP in Essex. | Former Tory MP Neil Hamilton has withdrawn from the selection process to become a prospective parliamentary candidate for UKIP in Essex. |
His name was on a list of five candidates in the running to become the party's candidate for the seat of South Basildon and East Thurrock. | His name was on a list of five candidates in the running to become the party's candidate for the seat of South Basildon and East Thurrock. |
But before hustings began at a meeting in Pitsea, Mr Hamilton announced he was withdrawing from the process. | But before hustings began at a meeting in Pitsea, Mr Hamilton announced he was withdrawing from the process. |
He said he supported another candidate, Kerry Smith, who was later selected. | He said he supported another candidate, Kerry Smith, who was later selected. |
Mr Smith had been deselected as the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the same seat in October. | Mr Smith had been deselected as the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the same seat in October. |
"He should never has been deselected in the first place, in my opinion, and he will make an excellent member of parliament for Basildon," said Mr Hamilton. | "He should never has been deselected in the first place, in my opinion, and he will make an excellent member of parliament for Basildon," said Mr Hamilton. |
"I would not have put my hat into the ring if I'd known that Kerry was going to be a candidate. | "I would not have put my hat into the ring if I'd known that Kerry was going to be a candidate. |
"I didn't know until I got here that his name was included in the ballot paper." | "I didn't know until I got here that his name was included in the ballot paper." |
Channel 4 reported seeing a letter from UKIP's finance committee querying expenses claims made by Mr Hamilton. | |
Mr Hamilton, UKIP's deputy chairman, said his decision to withdraw from the Basildon selection process was nothing to do with expenses, but that it was a UKIP "dirty trick" to stitch him up. | |
Last month he withdrew from the process to become the party's UKIP's parliamentary candidate for the Boston and Skegness constituency. | |
Mr Hamilton would not say if he was planning on trying to run in another seat. | Mr Hamilton would not say if he was planning on trying to run in another seat. |