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-31976343
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
UKIP MEP Janice Atkinson suspended over finance claims | UKIP MEP Janice Atkinson suspended over finance claims |
(35 minutes later) | |
A UKIP MEP and general election candidate has been suspended "following allegations of a serious financial nature", the party said. | |
Janice Atkinson, MEP for the South East, was due to fight the Folkestone and Hythe seat on 7 May. | Janice Atkinson, MEP for the South East, was due to fight the Folkestone and Hythe seat on 7 May. |
She was suspended following a Sun newspaper investigation into potential impropriety by a member of her staff, relating to an expenses claim. | |
Ms Atkinson has not yet commented on her suspension. | Ms Atkinson has not yet commented on her suspension. |
She has also had the party whip removed. | |
It is not known whether Ms Atkinson authorised the staff member's alleged actions or was even aware of what happened. | |
A UKIP spokesman said the party was "incredibly disappointed" with Ms Atkinson, who appeared "to have acted in a way the party has never and would never condone". | |
He added: "The party has acted swiftly and immediately and just as we showed when we suspended another MEP for financial irregularities, we always maintain a zero-tolerance attitude towards acts of this nature." | He added: "The party has acted swiftly and immediately and just as we showed when we suspended another MEP for financial irregularities, we always maintain a zero-tolerance attitude towards acts of this nature." |
'Dirty, nasty election' | 'Dirty, nasty election' |
Party leader Nigel Farage told the Sun the suspension related to "quite a serious allegation that a receipt that was submitted was not all it should have been." | |
Kent Police said it had not received any reports relating to the newspaper's allegations. | Kent Police said it had not received any reports relating to the newspaper's allegations. |
The BBC has not yet been able to independently verify the newspaper's report either. | The BBC has not yet been able to independently verify the newspaper's report either. |
Last summer, Janice Atkinson caused controversy in Kent when she referred to a Thai constituent as a "ting tong". | Last summer, Janice Atkinson caused controversy in Kent when she referred to a Thai constituent as a "ting tong". |
Folkestone and Hythe is seen as a safe Conservative seat which was represented by the former home secretary and ex-Conservative party leader, Michael Howard, from 1983 to 2005. | Folkestone and Hythe is seen as a safe Conservative seat which was represented by the former home secretary and ex-Conservative party leader, Michael Howard, from 1983 to 2005. |
He stood down before the 2010 election and the seat was won by fellow Conservative, Damian Collins. | He stood down before the 2010 election and the seat was won by fellow Conservative, Damian Collins. |
Ms Atkinson's suspension comes shortly after Mr Farage warned 2015 would be a "very dirty, nasty" general election campaign and urged his party to "turn the other cheek". | Ms Atkinson's suspension comes shortly after Mr Farage warned 2015 would be a "very dirty, nasty" general election campaign and urged his party to "turn the other cheek". |
He was speaking in Rochester earlier where he welcomed two former Conservative Medway councillors Tom Mason and Vaughan Hewett to stand for UKIP in the local elections in May. | He was speaking in Rochester earlier where he welcomed two former Conservative Medway councillors Tom Mason and Vaughan Hewett to stand for UKIP in the local elections in May. |