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UKIP candidate calls for 'benefit claimants' driving ban UKIP member calls for 'benefit claimants' driving ban
(about 3 hours later)
A UKIP general election candidate has produced a leaflet calling for all "benefits claimants" to be banned from driving to free up space on the roads. A UKIP member has produced a leaflet calling for all "benefits claimants" to be banned from driving to free up space on the roads.
Lynton Yates said they should catch a bus instead, while cyclists should "go back to the pavements".Lynton Yates said they should catch a bus instead, while cyclists should "go back to the pavements".
Mr Yates, who is currently a Leicestershire county councillor, also said he would send prisoners to overseas jails to reduce costs. Mr Yates published the leaflet as part of a canvassing campaign for the general election, but UKIP has now suspended his candidature.
The BBC has tried to contact Mr Yates but he has not responded.The BBC has tried to contact Mr Yates but he has not responded.
UKIP has confirmed the leaflet was published by Mr Yates, following suggestions it was a hoax or spoof. Mr Yates, who remains a Leicestershire county councillor for UKIP, also stated in the leaflet that he would send prisoners to overseas jails to reduce costs.
But the party has distanced itself from the suggestions of its candidate for the Charnwood constituency in Leicestershire. A statement from UKIP said: "Lynton Yates' views do not represent UKIP policy.
A statement said: "These are not UKIP policies and they will not form part of the UKIP manifesto." "He has apologised for any offence caused and was today suspended as a [general election] candidate."
UKIP earlier confirmed the leaflet was published by Mr Yates, following suggestions it was a hoax or spoof.
Shadow health minister Jamie Reed, a Labour MP, said: "It's beyond a joke now. Not so much a political party but a stag night out of control."Shadow health minister Jamie Reed, a Labour MP, said: "It's beyond a joke now. Not so much a political party but a stag night out of control."
A photo of the leaflet was posted on Facebook by a blogger called Mum Juice, then spread more widely on Facebook and Twitter by a satirical group called Atos Miracle. Mr Yates was a candidate for the Charnwood constituency in Leicestershire.
A photo of his leaflet was posted on Facebook by a blogger called Mum Juice, then spread more widely on Facebook and Twitter by a satirical group called Atos Miracles.
The leaflet said: "We could likely remove six million cars from the road if benefits claimants were not driving.The leaflet said: "We could likely remove six million cars from the road if benefits claimants were not driving.
"Why do they have the privilege to spend the tax payers hard earned money on a car, when those in work are struggling to keep their own car on the road?"Why do they have the privilege to spend the tax payers hard earned money on a car, when those in work are struggling to keep their own car on the road?
"These people really could catch a bus!""These people really could catch a bus!"
On the topic of the cost of keeping criminals in prison, it continued: "I personally would look to overseas countries who could tender for their incarceration.On the topic of the cost of keeping criminals in prison, it continued: "I personally would look to overseas countries who could tender for their incarceration.
"I'm sure they could dramatically reduce this cost to the taxpayer.""I'm sure they could dramatically reduce this cost to the taxpayer."