UKIP suspends candidate after extreme views aired
The UK Independence Party (UKIP) today said it had suspended a General Election candidate amid reports that he advocated the killing of the criminally insane and called for the return of the British Empire.
John Houston, 54, was selected in December for UKIP.
But his candidacy and party membership was suspended yesterday – just a week after chat show host-turned MEP Robert Kilroy-Silk quit UKIP declaring the party “a joke”.
Party bosses today said Mr Houston was suspended after his proposals were sent to newspapers, including the Glasgow-based Herald and the Scottish Daily Express.
They are reported to have included the killing of the criminally insane with their organs “made available to law-abiding members of the community” and the legalisation of drugs and the sex trade.
The document went on: “We’re looking for the resurrection of the British Empire. The problems for the human race – environmental and others – can only be dealt with on a global scale, and that calls for a radical alliance of the English-speaking nations, which they are uniquely able to do.”
Today UKIP communications director Mark Croucher said: “The information he sent appears to be his submission to the manifesto working group, which canvassed opinion from across the party last year.
“He has been suspended from membership and as a candidate while the party investigates the circumstances. But they (the policies) bear no relation to UK Independence Party policy.”
Mr Croucher said it was the passing of personal opinions that may appear to be party policy to the media which was the main concern, rather than the proposals themselves.
However, the selection panel which chose Mr Houston was unlikely to have seen his submission, made in August, he added.
“I am not exactly clear what went on in the selection meeting, but I can only assume he kept his views to himself because if he had expressed them he would not have been selected.”
Mr Houston was unavailable for comment today.
However, he told The Herald: “I feel UKIP have over-reacted and overshot the runway. The people who freaked are elderly men. I’m a bit disappointed, but it’s a storm in a teacup.”
