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-32005848
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Tory candidate suspended over vote-winning allegations | Tory candidate suspended over vote-winning allegations |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Conservative candidate at the general election has been suspended over allegations he schemed with the English Defence League to win votes. | A Conservative candidate at the general election has been suspended over allegations he schemed with the English Defence League to win votes. |
| The Mail on Sunday reported Afzal Amin plotted to persuade the EDL to announce a march against a new "mega-mosque" in the marginal seat of Dudley North. | The Mail on Sunday reported Afzal Amin plotted to persuade the EDL to announce a march against a new "mega-mosque" in the marginal seat of Dudley North. |
| The paper said Mr Amin planned for the march to be scrapped so he could take credit for defusing the situation. | The paper said Mr Amin planned for the march to be scrapped so he could take credit for defusing the situation. |
| Mr Amin told the paper the allegations were "completely untrue". | Mr Amin told the paper the allegations were "completely untrue". |
| Mr Amin, who is currently in Dubai, told the BBC he would be responding "shortly". | Mr Amin, who is currently in Dubai, told the BBC he would be responding "shortly". |
| He told the Independent on Sunday that the MoS had provided "small snippets" of more than 57 hours of meetings he had held with members of the Muslim community, the EDL and its former leader Tommy Robinson. | He told the Independent on Sunday that the MoS had provided "small snippets" of more than 57 hours of meetings he had held with members of the Muslim community, the EDL and its former leader Tommy Robinson. |
| He added he had been trying to "promote better community cohesion" to "serve as a model for further dispute resolution in other towns and cities". | He added he had been trying to "promote better community cohesion" to "serve as a model for further dispute resolution in other towns and cities". |
| Analysis | Analysis |
| BBC political correspondent Chris Mason | BBC political correspondent Chris Mason |
| Allegations like this would be a big deal for any party, anywhere. | Allegations like this would be a big deal for any party, anywhere. |
| But Dudley North isn't just anywhere for the Conservative Party. It is a seat currently held by Labour's Ian Austin with a tiny majority - just 649. | But Dudley North isn't just anywhere for the Conservative Party. It is a seat currently held by Labour's Ian Austin with a tiny majority - just 649. |
| If Conservatives are to win the general election outright, for the first time in 23 years, places like Dudley North have to turn blue. | If Conservatives are to win the general election outright, for the first time in 23 years, places like Dudley North have to turn blue. |
| And yet the Tories could find themselves having to find a new candidate in this crucial seat, just six weeks before polling day. | And yet the Tories could find themselves having to find a new candidate in this crucial seat, just six weeks before polling day. |
| 'Utter rubbish' | 'Utter rubbish' |
| The MoS claims secretly filmed footage, obtained by Mr Robinson, shows former Army captain Mr Amin allegedly promising that he would be an "unshakeable ally" for the EDL in parliament and help bring their views to the mainstream. | The MoS claims secretly filmed footage, obtained by Mr Robinson, shows former Army captain Mr Amin allegedly promising that he would be an "unshakeable ally" for the EDL in parliament and help bring their views to the mainstream. |
| The paper said when it put it to him he was trying to stir up racial hatred to win the seat, he said: "That's absolutely untrue, it's utter rubbish." | The paper said when it put it to him he was trying to stir up racial hatred to win the seat, he said: "That's absolutely untrue, it's utter rubbish." |
| The BBC understands a full disciplinary hearing is expected to be held on Tuesday. | The BBC understands a full disciplinary hearing is expected to be held on Tuesday. |
| Tory Defence Minister Anna Soubry told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I would appeal, if there is any truth in this, to him then go now, hold your head up. Because obviously if this is right this is dreadful." | Tory Defence Minister Anna Soubry told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I would appeal, if there is any truth in this, to him then go now, hold your head up. Because obviously if this is right this is dreadful." |
| According to Mr Amin's website, he grew up in the Black Country and was a mature student before spending 11 years in the Army, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. | According to Mr Amin's website, he grew up in the Black Country and was a mature student before spending 11 years in the Army, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. |