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Ukip's 20 suspended members: Janice Atkinson joins list as police investigate her expenses Ukip's suspended members: Janice Atkinson joins list as police investigate her expenses
(about 11 hours later)
Police are investigating Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson over suspected fraud following claims her senior aide asked hotel staff to make up a lunch bill for more than £3,000 so she could claim the money back at taxpayers’ expense. Police are investigating the Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson over suspected fraud, following claims that her senior aide asked hotel staff to make up a lunch bill for more than £3,000 so she could claim the money back at European taxpayers’ expense.
The party suspended the politician following allegations of a “serious financial nature” as leader Nigel Farage said the claims “couldn’t look worse”. The party suspended the politician following allegations of a “serious financial nature”, and its leader, Nigel Farage, said the claims “couldn’t look worse”.
Kent police said it is investigating fraud allegations after Mrs Atkinson’s Chief of Staff was secretly recorded appearing to ask the manager of a restaurant in Margate, Kent, prior to Ukip’s spring conference to more than treble the £950 cost of their meal. Kent Police said it is investigating after Ms Atkinson’s chief of staff, Christine Hewitt, was secretly recorded appearing to ask the manager of a restaurant in Margate, before Ukip’s spring conference, to more than treble the £950 cost of a meal.
The recording of the exchange seems to include Ms Hewitt saying: “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 [from Europe].”
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 staff replies: “£3,150, is that all right? Yeah, if you’re all right with that? Is that enough for you?”
Ms Hewitt responds: “Oh God yeah, that’s more than enough.”Ms Hewitt responds: “Oh God yeah, that’s more than enough.”
Ms Atkinson, MEP for the South East and who was due to fight the Folkestone and Hythe seat on 7 May, has so far declined to comment. It is not known whether she knew or authorised her aide’s apparent actions. Ms Atkinson, MEP for the South East, who was due to fight the Folkestone and Hythe seat in the general election on 7 May, has declined to comment. It is not known whether she knew of or authorised her aide’s apparent actions.
Mr Farage said yesterday/on Friday: “It looks very bad - it couldn’t look worse and I’m astonished by it. I spoke to [Ms Atkinson] after midnight and she said it was all to do with bills and fundraising. I was, frankly, confused by it all. I simply couldn't believe it - how on earth could anyone think they could behave like this?” Mr Farage said yesterday: “It looks very bad – it couldn’t look worse and I’m astonished by it. I spoke to [Ms Atkinson] after midnight and she said it was all to do with bills and fundraising. I was, frankly, confused by it all. I simply couldn’t believe it – how on earth could anyone think they could behave like this?” Ms Atkinson faces a Ukip disciplinary hearing next week.
He said it was too early to decide whether Ms Atkinson will still be allowed to stand in May and said that the MEP faces a Ukip disciplinary hearing next week following her suspension. In a grim 24 hours for Ukip, the party suspended a second candidate following an “alleged incident in the workplace”. Stephen Howd, 49, a barrister, was representing Ukip in Scunthorpe.
Westminster hopeful Stephen Howd, a 49-year-old Leeds-based barrister, was also suspended in a grim 24 hours for Ukip following an “alleged incident in the workplace”. A third, Jonathan Stanley standing in Westmorland and Lonsdale, resigned and accused Ukip of bullying.
Since 2010 the party’s “zero tolerance” of wrongdoing has led to the suspensions of dozens of key figures, including at least 19 councillors, 14 parliamentary candidates, one national secretary, its youth leader, one spokesperson, the Ukip Scotland Chair, an entire local branch, three MEPs and a local committee. Since 2010 the party has suspended at least 19 councillors, 14 parliamentary candidates, a national secretary, its youth leader, one spokesperson, its Scotland chair, an entire local branch, three MEPs and a local committee.
Here is a selection of those suspended.
  
Name: Janice AtkinsonName: Janice Atkinson
Janice Atkinson speaking to Ukip supporters in February Position: MEPJanice Atkinson speaking to Ukip supporters in February Position: MEP
Alleged offence: serious financial irregularitiesAlleged offence: serious financial irregularities
Date of suspension: 19 March 2015Date of suspension: 19 March 2015
Resolved? Disciplinary hearing to be held ‘early next week’. Atkinson previously survived a race row after referring to a Thai constituent as a ‘ting-tong’. Nigel Farage ordered the MEP to apologise to the woman in person.Resolved? Disciplinary hearing to be held ‘early next week’. Atkinson previously survived a race row after referring to a Thai constituent as a ‘ting-tong’. Nigel Farage ordered the MEP to apologise to the woman in person.
  
Name: Stephen HowdName: Stephen Howd
Position: Scunthorpe PPCPosition: Scunthorpe PPC
Alleged offence: ‘incident in the workplace’Alleged offence: ‘incident in the workplace’
Date of suspension: 20 March 2015Date of suspension: 20 March 2015
Resolved? An investigation has been launched into the Leeds-based barrister.Resolved? An investigation has been launched into the Leeds-based barrister.
  
Name: Amjad BashirName: Amjad Bashir
Amjad Bashir said Ukip had become a 'party of ruthless self-interest' Position: MEPAmjad Bashir said Ukip had become a 'party of ruthless self-interest' Position: MEP
Alleged offence: ‘a number of extremely serious issues… which include unanswered financial and employment questions’Alleged offence: ‘a number of extremely serious issues… which include unanswered financial and employment questions’
Date of suspension: 24 January 2015Date of suspension: 24 January 2015
Resolved? Yorkshire and the Humber MEP Bashir defected to the Conservatives on the day of his suspension effectively rendering Ukip’s investigation into him redundant. Ukip MEP Mike Hookem said he has passed on evidence of Mr Bashir’s alleged wrongdoing to West Yorkshire police.Resolved? Yorkshire and the Humber MEP Bashir defected to the Conservatives on the day of his suspension effectively rendering Ukip’s investigation into him redundant. Ukip MEP Mike Hookem said he has passed on evidence of Mr Bashir’s alleged wrongdoing to West Yorkshire police.
  
Name: Roger BirdName: Roger Bird
Roger Bird, former Ukip general secretary Position: General SecretaryRoger Bird, former Ukip general secretary Position: General Secretary
Alleged offence: sexual harassmentAlleged offence: sexual harassment
Date of suspension: 9 December 2014Date of suspension: 9 December 2014
Resolved? Former Labour activist Natasha Bolter claimed Mr Bird had propositioned her during her selection process to become a Ukip parliamentary candidate. Mr Bird vigorously denied the claims and provided evidence showing the pair had been in a consensual relationship. He was cleared of wrongdoing on 23 December after an independent investigation but left the party by mutual consent.Resolved? Former Labour activist Natasha Bolter claimed Mr Bird had propositioned her during her selection process to become a Ukip parliamentary candidate. Mr Bird vigorously denied the claims and provided evidence showing the pair had been in a consensual relationship. He was cleared of wrongdoing on 23 December after an independent investigation but left the party by mutual consent.
  
Name: Winston Mckenzie/Lambeth and Croydon North branchName: Winston Mckenzie/Lambeth and Croydon North branch
Political lightweight: Former boxer Winston McKenzie Position: Branch ChairmanPolitical lightweight: Former boxer Winston McKenzie Position: Branch Chairman
Alleged offence: misappropriation of donationsAlleged offence: misappropriation of donations
Date of suspension: 19 December 2014Date of suspension: 19 December 2014
Resolved? Mr Mackenzie and the local committee were suspended, along and the whole branch disbanded, following months of infighting culminating in accusations that £1,000 in donations had been misappropriated. An investigation found no evidence the funds had been misused but said proper procedures had not been followed. Mr McKenzie remains PPC for Croydon North but was “reshuffled” from his position as Commonwealth spokesperson comparing the move to a scene from The Godfather Part II. “I was Fredo on the boat. I was killed off my post,” he said.Resolved? Mr Mackenzie and the local committee were suspended, along and the whole branch disbanded, following months of infighting culminating in accusations that £1,000 in donations had been misappropriated. An investigation found no evidence the funds had been misused but said proper procedures had not been followed. Mr McKenzie remains PPC for Croydon North but was “reshuffled” from his position as Commonwealth spokesperson comparing the move to a scene from The Godfather Part II. “I was Fredo on the boat. I was killed off my post,” he said.
  
Name: Brecon and Radnor branchName: Brecon and Radnor branch
Position: Regional committeePosition: Regional committee
Alleged offence: Bringing the party into disreputeAlleged offence: Bringing the party into disrepute
Date of suspension: 22 February 2015Date of suspension: 22 February 2015
Resolved? The row began when the branch elected just one person who was then elected its Westminster candidate. Ukip said correct procedure had not been followed and declared the selection invalid, suspending the entire branch. The row continues.Resolved? The row began when the branch elected just one person who was then elected its Westminster candidate. Ukip said correct procedure had not been followed and declared the selection invalid, suspending the entire branch. The row continues.
  
Name: Dave SmallName: Dave Small
Position: CouncillorPosition: Councillor
Alleged offence: Sexist, racist, homophobic commentsAlleged offence: Sexist, racist, homophobic comments
Date of suspension: 27 May 2014Date of suspension: 27 May 2014
Resolved? Five days after becoming a Redditch Borough councillor, Mr Small was suspended after he was allegedly caught tweeting about “poofs and dykes”, “perverts” and “Pakis” prior to his election.Resolved? Five days after becoming a Redditch Borough councillor, Mr Small was suspended after he was allegedly caught tweeting about “poofs and dykes”, “perverts” and “Pakis” prior to his election.
  
Name: David SilvesterName: David Silvester
Position: Henley-on-Thames councillorPosition: Henley-on-Thames councillor
Alleged offence: Homophobic commentsAlleged offence: Homophobic comments
Date of suspension: 19 January 2014Date of suspension: 19 January 2014
Resolved? Blamed flooding on gay people in an interview peppered with homophobic remarks claiming homosexuality was a “spiritual disease” that can be healed.Resolved? Blamed flooding on gay people in an interview peppered with homophobic remarks claiming homosexuality was a “spiritual disease” that can be healed.
  
Name: Robert RayName: Robert Ray
Position: Chairman of Thurrock BranchPosition: Chairman of Thurrock Branch
Alleged offence: Drink DrivingAlleged offence: Drink Driving
Date of suspension: 13 February 2015Date of suspension: 13 February 2015
Resolved? Mr Ray was caught drink driving after a session with Nigel Farage at a party fundraiser. He stood down as Chairman and is suspended from party activity while facing disciplinary proceedings.Resolved? Mr Ray was caught drink driving after a session with Nigel Farage at a party fundraiser. He stood down as Chairman and is suspended from party activity while facing disciplinary proceedings.
  
Name: Lynton YatesName: Lynton Yates
Position: PPCPosition: PPC
Alleged offence: Inflammatory commentsAlleged offence: Inflammatory comments
Date of suspension: January 2015Date of suspension: January 2015
Resolved? The suspension was lifted last month following comments made by the Charnwood parliamentary candidate that benefit claimants should be banned from driving. “These people really could catch the bus,” he said.Resolved? The suspension was lifted last month following comments made by the Charnwood parliamentary candidate that benefit claimants should be banned from driving. “These people really could catch the bus,” he said.
  
Name: James MoyiesName: James Moyies
Position: CouncillorPosition: Councillor
Alleged offence: Bringing Ukip into disreputeAlleged offence: Bringing Ukip into disrepute
Date of suspension: January 2015Date of suspension: January 2015
Resolved? The Ukip group leader on Southend council was expelled by the party last month after he and four colleagues voted to remove Ukip’s Westminster candidate from their council group.Resolved? The Ukip group leader on Southend council was expelled by the party last month after he and four colleagues voted to remove Ukip’s Westminster candidate from their council group.
  
Name: Godfrey BloomName: Godfrey Bloom
Former Ukip MEP Godfrey Bloom withdrew from the party after striking a journalist and calling women ‘sluts’ Position: MEPFormer Ukip MEP Godfrey Bloom withdrew from the party after striking a journalist and calling women ‘sluts’ Position: MEP
Alleged offence: Sexist commentsAlleged offence: Sexist comments
Date of suspension: 20 September 2013Date of suspension: 20 September 2013
Resolved? Mr Bloom said women “didn’t clean behind the fridge enough” at a party conference meeting then said the room was “full of sluts” after female activists said they were too busy to do so. The ‘colourful’ MEP then hit journalist Michael Crick over the head with a conference programme in a row about racism. Mr Bloom quit the party a week later and stood as an independent MEP until leaving Brussels in July 2014.Resolved? Mr Bloom said women “didn’t clean behind the fridge enough” at a party conference meeting then said the room was “full of sluts” after female activists said they were too busy to do so. The ‘colourful’ MEP then hit journalist Michael Crick over the head with a conference programme in a row about racism. Mr Bloom quit the party a week later and stood as an independent MEP until leaving Brussels in July 2014.
  
Name: Chris PainName: Chris Pain
Position: Lincolnshire county council party group leaderPosition: Lincolnshire county council party group leader
Alleged offence: Racist commentsAlleged offence: Racist comments
Date of suspension: September 2013Date of suspension: September 2013
Resolved? Mr Pain’s Facebook page carried racist comments but claimed his Facebook account had been hacked and cloned calling the comments “sick”. Police investigated but took no further action. Mr Pain was expelled from Ukip in a separate internal controversy and took four colleagues with him. He will represent ‘Independence from Europe’ in Boston and Skegness in May’s general election.Resolved? Mr Pain’s Facebook page carried racist comments but claimed his Facebook account had been hacked and cloned calling the comments “sick”. Police investigated but took no further action. Mr Pain was expelled from Ukip in a separate internal controversy and took four colleagues with him. He will represent ‘Independence from Europe’ in Boston and Skegness in May’s general election.
  
Name: Kerry SmithName: Kerry Smith
Kerry Smith resigned as would-be MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock after it emerged he had mocked gay party members as “disgusting poofters”, joked about shooting people from Chigwell in a “peasant hunt” and referred to someone with a Chinese name as a “Chinky bird” Position: PPCKerry Smith resigned as would-be MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock after it emerged he had mocked gay party members as “disgusting poofters”, joked about shooting people from Chigwell in a “peasant hunt” and referred to someone with a Chinese name as a “Chinky bird” Position: PPC
Alleged offence: Homophobic remarksAlleged offence: Homophobic remarks
Date of suspension: December 2014Date of suspension: December 2014
Resolved? Mr Smith stood down as South Basildon and East Thurrock’s candidate after apologising for offensive remarks he made in a recorded phone call. The party said he left by “mutual consent”.Resolved? Mr Smith stood down as South Basildon and East Thurrock’s candidate after apologising for offensive remarks he made in a recorded phone call. The party said he left by “mutual consent”.
  
Name: Matthew ElleryName: Matthew Ellery
Position: CouncillorPosition: Councillor
Alleged offence: Sexist commentsAlleged offence: Sexist comments
Date of suspension: May 2014Date of suspension: May 2014
Resolved? The 23-year-old Basingstoke councillor was temporarily suspended after he was found to have called local women “pug ugly” while campaigning for his seat. He was arrested on suspicion of theft from his dad’s antique shop last week and is bailed until May – he quit the party this month.Resolved? The 23-year-old Basingstoke councillor was temporarily suspended after he was found to have called local women “pug ugly” while campaigning for his seat. He was arrested on suspicion of theft from his dad’s antique shop last week and is bailed until May – he quit the party this month.
  
Name: Rozanne DuncanName: Rozanne Duncan
Ex-Ukip councillor Rozanne Duncan in the BBC documentary 'Meet the Ukippers' Position: CouncillorEx-Ukip councillor Rozanne Duncan in the BBC documentary 'Meet the Ukippers' Position: Councillor
Alleged offence: Racist commentsAlleged offence: Racist comments
Date of suspension: December 2014Date of suspension: December 2014
Resolved? Ms Duncan, 68, was expelled last month told a BBC documentary that she had a problem with black people because there was “something about their faces”.Resolved? Ms Duncan, 68, was expelled last month told a BBC documentary that she had a problem with black people because there was “something about their faces”.
  
Name: Matthew SmithName: Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith was one of three men standing trial at Norwich Crown Court the alleged electoral fraud (PA) Position: PPCMatthew Smith was one of three men standing trial at Norwich Crown Court the alleged electoral fraud (PA) Position: PPC
Alleged offence: Electoral fraudAlleged offence: Electoral fraud
Date of suspension: 5 January 2015Date of suspension: 5 January 2015
Resolved? The 27-year-old Norfolk councillor was suspended ahead of a court appearance over alleged electoral fraud.  He faces a retrial in June.Resolved? The 27-year-old Norfolk councillor was suspended ahead of a court appearance over alleged electoral fraud.  He faces a retrial in June.
  
Name: Andre LampittName: Andre Lampitt
Position: MemberPosition: Member
Alleged offence: Racist viewsAlleged offence: Racist views
Date of suspension: April 2014Date of suspension: April 2014
Resolved? The Zimbabwean decorator and star of Ukip’s 2014 election broadcast complaining about being undercut by “lads from Eastern Europe” was expelled after a number of “extreme racist views” were found on his Twitter account.Resolved? The Zimbabwean decorator and star of Ukip’s 2014 election broadcast complaining about being undercut by “lads from Eastern Europe” was expelled after a number of “extreme racist views” were found on his Twitter account.
  
Name: Olly NevilleName: Olly Neville
Olly Neville who was appointed as chairman of Young Independence at the end of last year Position: Chair of Young IndependenceOlly Neville who was appointed as chairman of Young Independence at the end of last year Position: Chair of Young Independence
Alleged offence: Gay marriage rowAlleged offence: Gay marriage row
Date of suspension: 9 January 2013Date of suspension: 9 January 2013
Resolved? Claimed he was sacked as youth leader after defending gay marriage on Twitter as well as colliding with Ukip leaders over range of party policies.Resolved? Claimed he was sacked as youth leader after defending gay marriage on Twitter as well as colliding with Ukip leaders over range of party policies.
  
Name: Harry Perry     Name: Harry Perry     
Position: Member, prospective councillorPosition: Member, prospective councillor
Alleged offence: Offensive commentsAlleged offence: Offensive comments
Date of suspension: 3 May 2014Date of suspension: 3 May 2014
Resolved? Booted out after allegedly describing David Cameron as a “gay-loving nutcase” and Muslims as “devil kids” on Twitter.Resolved? Booted out after allegedly describing David Cameron as a “gay-loving nutcase” and Muslims as “devil kids” on Twitter.