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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.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.She was suspended following a Sun newspaper investigation into potential impropriety by a member of her staff, relating to an expenses claim.
Ms Atkinson, who has also had the party whip removed, has not yet commented.Ms Atkinson, who has also had the party whip removed, has not yet commented.
Party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC there would be an "immediate investigation as to what the truth of this is".Party leader Nigel Farage told the BBC there would be an "immediate investigation as to what the truth of this is".
"All I will say is, we have got the spotlight very much on us as UKIP and we've got to behave absolutely properly and if we see anything we think is wrong, we will come down on it like a tonne of bricks," he said."All I will say is, we have got the spotlight very much on us as UKIP and we've got to behave absolutely properly and if we see anything we think is wrong, we will come down on it like a tonne of bricks," he said.
'Incredibly disappointed''Incredibly disappointed'
The extent of Ms Atkinson's knowledge or involvement relating to the staff member's alleged actions are not known.The extent of Ms Atkinson's knowledge or involvement relating to the staff member's alleged actions are not known.
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".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."
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, Ms Atkinson caused controversy in Kent when she referred to a Thai constituent as a "ting tong".Last summer, Ms Atkinson caused controversy in Kent when she referred to a Thai constituent as a "ting tong".
'Dirty, nasty election''Dirty, nasty election'
Folkestone and Hythe is seen as a safe Conservative seat.Folkestone and Hythe is seen as a safe Conservative seat.
It was represented by former Home Secretary and ex-Conservative Party leader, Michael Howard, from 1983 to 2005. It was represented by former Home Secretary and ex-Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, from 1983 to 2010, when he stood down as an MP ahead of the last general election.
He stood down before the 2010 election and the seat was won by fellow Conservative, Damian Collins. Fellow Conservative Damian Collins won the seat in 2010.
Ms Atkinson's suspension came shortly after Mr Farage had warned 2015 would be a "very dirty, nasty" general election campaign and urged his party to "turn the other cheek".Ms Atkinson's suspension came shortly after Mr Farage had 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, who are standing 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, who are standing for UKIP in the local elections in May.