Nigel Farage vows to uphold 'decency' in Ukip after MEP Janice Atkinson suspended
|
Version 0 of 1. Nigel Farage has vowed to do his best to uphold the principles of “decency” in Ukip after MEP Janice Atkinson was suspended over financial allegations. In his column for The Independent, the leader said he was attempting to “restore some faith and dignity to British politics”. Mr Farage wrote: “I suppose by the time you read this, you will already have heard about Ukip’s suspension of one of our MEPs, Janice Atkinson, on allegations of financial irregularities. Ms Atkinson was pictured swearing at local activists in Kent in May last year “I want to be very clear that we do not condone, and never have condoned the types of actions that this individual is on the receiving end of allegations of. “And that’s why we as a party acted so quickly when we heard of the incident.” Ukip removed the whip from Ms Atkinson on Thursday and axed her as a general election candidate following an investigation by The Sun. The newspaper said it had secretly filmed a member of her staff appearing to plot to make a “substantial bogus expenses claim”, which reportedly involved a restaurant bill, but the party would not confirm the details. Ukip leader Nigel Farage celebrating election results with Janice Atkinson, left, last year In his column, Mr Farage said: “I want Ukip to be the party that restores decency into our political sphere, and as such, I will do my level best to uphold those principles across the entire party.” The Ukip leader said he expected “nastiness” from other political parties and the media over the coming days but would “turn the other cheek”. Ms Atkinson represents the South East in the European Parliament and was due to stand as MP for Folkestone and Hythe in May's general election. |