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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nigel Farage: UKIP Janice Atkinson allegations 'couldn't look worse' | Nigel Farage: UKIP Janice Atkinson allegations 'couldn't look worse' |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Allegations of a "serious financial nature" against a UKIP MEP and general election candidate "couldn't look worse", Nigel Farage has said. | Allegations of a "serious financial nature" against a UKIP MEP and general election candidate "couldn't look worse", Nigel Farage has 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 after a Sun newspaper investigation into an expenses claim by a member of her staff. | She was suspended after a Sun newspaper investigation into an expenses claim by a member of her staff. |
| Party leader Mr Farage said: "It looks very bad - it couldn't look worse and I'm astonished by it." | Party leader Mr Farage said: "It looks very bad - it couldn't look worse and I'm astonished by it." |
| He told the BBC a disciplinary hearing would be held "early next week". | He told the BBC a disciplinary hearing would be held "early next week". |
| Ms Atkinson has not responded to requests for comment. | Ms Atkinson has not responded to requests for comment. |
| The newspaper has published a secret recording appearing to show Janice Atkinson's chief of staff, Christine Hewitt, speaking to the manager of a restaurant in Margate, Kent, before UKIP's spring conference. | The newspaper has published a secret recording appearing to show Janice Atkinson's chief of staff, Christine Hewitt, speaking to the manager of a restaurant in Margate, Kent, before UKIP's spring conference. |
| In the footage, she appears to ask for an invoice for a much higher sum than the bill she had received. | In the footage, she appears to ask for an invoice for a much higher sum than the bill she had received. |
| 'Couldn't believe it' | |
| Ms Hewitt is heard to say: "The idea is we overcharge them slightly, because that's the way we repatriate it." | Ms Hewitt is heard to say: "The idea is we overcharge them slightly, because that's the way we repatriate it." |
| A member of the hotel staff replies: "3,150, is that all right? Yeah, if you're all right with that? Is that enough for you?" | A member of the hotel staff replies: "3,150, is that all right? Yeah, if you're all right with that? Is that enough for you?" |
| Ms Hewitt then says: "Oh God yeah, that's more than enough." | Ms Hewitt then says: "Oh God yeah, that's more than enough." |
| It is not known whether Ms Atkinson knew or authorised her staff member's apparent actions. | It is not known whether Ms Atkinson knew or authorised her staff member's apparent actions. |
| The BBC has been unable to contact Ms Hewitt for comment. | The BBC has been unable to contact Ms Hewitt for comment. |
| Mr Farage said it was too early to say whether Ms Atkinson would be allowed to run for UKIP in Folkestone and Hythe. | Mr Farage said it was too early to say whether Ms Atkinson would be allowed to run for UKIP in Folkestone and Hythe. |
| He said: "I spoke to her [Ms Atkinson] after midnight and she said it was all to do with bills and fundraising. I was, frankly, confused by it all." | He said: "I spoke to her [Ms Atkinson] after midnight and she said it was all to do with bills and fundraising. I was, frankly, confused by it all." |
| He added: "I simply couldn't believe it - how on earth could anyone think they could behave like this?" | He added: "I simply couldn't believe it - how on earth could anyone think they could behave like this?" |
| 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. |
| Janice Atkinson | Janice Atkinson |
| Janice Atkinson stood for election as a Conservative candidate in 2010 for the Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen, but lost by 4,406 votes. | Janice Atkinson stood for election as a Conservative candidate in 2010 for the Yorkshire constituency of Batley and Spen, but lost by 4,406 votes. |
| She joined UKIP in 2011 and was elected as an MEP for the South East last year. | She joined UKIP in 2011 and was elected as an MEP for the South East last year. |
| In August she hit the headlines after describing a Thai constituent and UKIP member as a "ting tong". | In August she hit the headlines after describing a Thai constituent and UKIP member as a "ting tong". |
| On her website she claims to have started her first business at the age of 22 and has worked in marketing communications for FTSE 100 companies | On her website she claims to have started her first business at the age of 22 and has worked in marketing communications for FTSE 100 companies |