Ukip disarray as would-be MPs suspended and another quits

Police have been brought in to investigate an allegation of fraud following the suspension of Ukip MEP Janice Atkinson over claims that a member of staff attempted to overcharge EU expenses.

Ukip has also suspended Stephen Howd, its Scunthorpe general election hopeful, while an investigation is carried out into an “alleged incident” at his workplace.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Stanley quit as the general election candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, claiming there was “open racism and sanctimonious bullying” within the part.

‘Incredibly stupid and dishonest’

MEP Janice Atkinson was suspended from the party whip after the Sun newspaper reported that one of her staff members obtained an invoice from a restaurant for a sum more than three times the actual cost of a party event.

Ms Atkinson had been due to challenge the Conservatives in Folkestone and Hythe on 7 May. She has been removed as a general election candidate while Ukip investigates the claims.

Speaking on LBC radio this morning, party leader Nigel Farage called it “one of the most incredibly stupid and dishonest things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

‘Overcharge them slightly’

According to the Sun, one of Ms Atkinson’s staff members, Christine Hewitt, told the manager of the restaurant in question: “The idea is we overcharge them slightly because that’s the way of repatriating (the money).”

The £950 food and drink expense for the event, held before Ukip’s recent spring conference in Margate, was paid by credit card according to the report, which said costs had been agreed in advance by email.

But it is alleged that Ms Hewitt negotiated for, and accepted, an invoice for £3,150, made out to the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE), a newly-formed grouping of right-wing parties.

The event was attended by Nigel Farage‘s wife Kirsten and by Mark Reckless, the Ukip MP for Rochester and Strood who defected from the Conservative party and was re-elected in his constituency in November 2014.

‘Ting tong’

The MEP for the South East found herself in hot water last year after she was caught by TV cameras calling a Thai woman a “ting tong”, forcing Nigel Farage into making a personal apology.

Ms Atkinson insisted the comments were naïve rather than malicious, and said she was “incredibly sorry” for offending the woman.

The latest disciplinary issue for Ukip came hours after its leader renewed warnings that he expected a “very dirty, nasty” general election campaign and urged his party to “turn the other cheek”.