Geert Wilders: Ukip Will Join Our Far-Right Bloc in the EU

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ukip is expected to overcome its distaste for Marine Le Pen and will work with a new far-Right Eurosceptic alliance after EU elections, Geert Wilders tells the Telegraph


Europe’s leading far-Right leader has predicted Ukip will end up in an alliance for Marine Le Pen and other Eurosceptic forces in the new European parliament following this month’s elections.

Geert Wilders told the Telegraph that he expects Nigel Farage to ditch a promise never to work with the French National Front after Ukip’s expected successes in European elections later this month.

Mr Wilders and Miss Le Pen have joined forces to create a “European Freedom Alliance” and both are leading the opinion polls for Europe-wide elections in their respective countries, the Netherlands and France.

Mr Farage, who has not ruled out working with Mr Wilders despite the Dutch politican’s controversial views on Islamic and immigrants, has stayed out of the alliance.

He refused because the National Front has “anti-Semitism and general prejudice in its DNA”.

However, the Dutch Freedom Party leader is convinced that he can persuade Mr Farage to overcome his distaste for with Miss Le Pen’s “Front National” after the voting finishes in elections on 25 May. » | Bruno Waterfield, The Hague | Monday, May 05, 2014

10 Good Reasons Not to Vote for Ukip

THE GUARDIAN: Nigel Farage may seem genial but his party is anything but. The polls tell us that many voters are tempted to vote Ukip at the next election, while others dismiss them as a joke – but the prospect of them gaining more power in Europe is no laughing matter

If the polls are right, and they probably are, legions of ordinary British people, decent in so many respects, will back Ukip in the forthcoming European elections.

Some will tick the Farage box because they believe the party to be the future, setting out with clarity our country's political, social and economic future. Others will give their endorsement because they have come to despise the other parties and the establishment. Indeed Farage has been encouraging them to turn away from the political elite and to see Ukip as a new way of doing things.

There will be those, genuinely unhappy, who wish for tougher action on migration and a handbrake turn away from Europe. Both are hot-potato issues and Ukip serves up a mash more easily digestible than that available elsewhere.

And then there is the contingent that thinks some or none of these things but will vote for the party as a form of interactive entertainment. "That Farage, he's a good bloke," they will say. "You can have a laugh with him."

Ukip will do well because it can best survive in the polluted atmosphere that engulfs debate about migration and Europe, but also because it's a perfect vehicle for a protest vote. No one takes it very seriously. And that's the sadness. Because Ukip isn't and has never been much of a laughing matter. Here's why … » | Hugh Muir | Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Phone Nigel Farage Live: Put Your Questions to the UKIP Leader

Fresh from his debate with Nick Clegg, Ukip leader Nigel Farage is taking part in a live phone-in for Telegraph readers today. Watch the programme from 1pm (1300 BST)

Who Is the Real Nigel Farage? Documentary Spends Six Months with the Ukip Leader

DAILY EXPRESS: HE makes no secret of the fact that he enjoys a few pints and more often than not is to be seen in public puffing away on a cigarette.

Nigel Farage's detractors have also tried to portray him as a clown, who is in charge of a party full of "fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists".

One thing is for sure, love or loathe his ideology, the Ukip leader is not to be confused with the countless bland politicians who wander the corridors of Westminster.

Remarkably, in an age dominated by political correctness his maverick approach is paying dividends.

This week he was widely considered to have got the better of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in a live TV and radio debate on Europe.

With Ukip also expected to do well in forthcoming euro elections and party membership growing fast, a new TV documentary examines the remarkable rise of Farage on the eve of his 50th birthday.

Programme maker Martin Durkin spent six months shadowing the Ukip leader, following him to Strasbourg, where his speeches are winning a cult following, and exploring his middle-class roots in Kent. » | Adrian Lee | Friday, March 28, 2014

Nigel Farage: Who Are You? Monday, Channel 4, 7.30pm.

British Politician Wants UK Muslims to Denounce Parts of Quran

AL ARABIYA: A far-right UK Independence Party (UKIP) politician reiterated on Tuesday his belief that a declaration denouncing specific parts of the Quran must be signed by Muslims living in Britain.

Gerard Batten, an MEP, renewed his suggestion first proposed in 2006 while speaking to the British daily news website the Guardian, adding that Europe made a huge mistake by allowing “an explosion of mosques across their land.”

“If that represents the thinking of modern people, there's something wrong, in which case maybe they need to revise their thinking,” Batten said.

“If they say they can't revise their thinking on those issues, then who's got the problem – us or them?” he added.

During the interview, Batten said: “I would expect the fundamentalists to agree with me that democracy is incompatible with fundamentalist Islam. Moderate Muslims have to decide which side of the argument they are on.”

"Muslims need to sign the charter and accept to “re-examine and address the meaning and application of certain Islamic texts and doctrines,” Batten said in a statement released on Ukip’s official website.

Batten said he stood by the 2006 “charter of Muslim understanding.”

In the charter, Muslims are requested to reject parts of the Quran which promote that “violent physical Jihad” should be regarded as “inapplicable, invalid and non-Islamic,” a move Batten said would not be an issue for “any reasonable, normal person.” » | Eman El-Shenawi | Al Arabiya News – Dubai | Wednesday, February 05, 2014

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Tory MP Says Ukip Politician's Call for Muslim Code of Conduct Is Frightening

Gerard Batten, UKIP MEP

THE GUARDIAN: Robert Halfon compares Ukip MEP Gerard Batten's position to asking members of religion to wear yellow star

Gerard Batten, the senior Ukip politician who called for Muslims to sign a code of conduct, has been accused of taking an "unbelievably sinister" position that is comparable to asking members of the faith to wear a yellow star.

Robert Halfon, a Conservative MP, called on the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, to sack Batten for his comments, after it emerged the Ukip MEP had helped write a "charter of Muslim understanding". The document calls on Muslims to sign a declaration rejecting violence and accepting the need to modify the Qur'an.

Halfon, who is Jewish and has spoken out repeatedly against Islamic extremism, told the Guardian he considered Batten's views "unbelievably sinister" and "frightening".

He tweeted: "Big difference btwn lawful Muslims & extreme Islamists. UKIP MEP Batten's statement a 1st step to wearing a Yellow Star."

Sarah Ludford, a Liberal Democrat MEP for London, also criticised the comments, saying they "rip apart Ukip's pretence" that it treats everybody equally.

"His offensive blanket stereotyping of Muslims speaks volumes about Ukip's extremism and should warn voters that voting Ukip means associating with hatred and Islamophobia," she said.

Two prominent Muslim MPs, Sadiq Khan and Rehman Chishti, have also condemned the "offensive" idea of a charter for Muslims. Chishti said Batten, who is Ukip's immigration spokesman, should not be allowed to stand again as an MEP. » | Rowena Mason, political correspondent | Wednesday, February 05, 2014

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Ukip MEP Says British Muslims Should sign Charter Rejecting Violence

THE GUARDIAN: Gerard Batten, Ukip's immigration spokesman, proposed ban on new European mosques and says Qur'an needs updating


A Ukip MEP believes that British Muslims should sign a special code of conduct and warns that it was a big mistake for Europe to allow "an explosion of mosques across their land".

Gerard Batten, who represents London and is member of the party's executive, told the Guardian on Tuesdaythat he stood by a "charter of Muslim understanding", which he commissioned in 2006.

The document asks Muslims to sign a declaration rejecting violence and says parts of the Qur'an that promote "violent physical Jihad" should be regarded as "inapplicable, invalid and non-Islamic".

Critics said his comments represent the "ugliest side of Ukip" and "overlap with the far-right", in spite of the efforts of party leader Nigel Farage to create a disciplined election machine ahead of the European elections. » | Rowena Mason, political correspondent | Tuesday, February 04, 2014

Hand Guns Should Be Legalised and Licensed, Nigel Farage Has Said

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Ukip leader says the ban on the guns, which were made illegal in the wake of the Dunblane shooting, was a "kneejerk" reaction and should be lifted

The Ukip leader has said it is party policy for hand guns to be legalised and licensed in the UK despite being banned in the UK for the last 18 years.

Mr Farage said the current ban on the guns, which were made illegal following the school shooting at Dunblane in 1996, was “ludicrous.”

Speaking on LBC Radio Mr Farage said that it was Ukip policy to create a “proper licensing policy” and that people who kept hand guns responsibility locked up and had were willing to get an official license should “absolutely” be allowed them.

Experts have said his comments were “stupid” and encourage an American-style idea that you and your home are only safe if you are armed.

Peter Squires, professor of criminology at Brighton University and a member of Association of Police Officer’s advisory group on the criminal use of fire arms said that Mr Farage’s comments were "irresponsible". » | Georgia Graham, Political Correspondent | Friday, January 24, 2014

Ukip Suspends Councillor Who Claimed Floods Were Caused by Gay Marriage

THE GUARDIAN: Ukip councillor David Silvester's suspension comes after new interview in which he says gay people 'can be healed'

A Ukip councillor who blamed the Christmas and new year floods on the passage of gay marriage laws has been suspended from the party, Ukip said on Sunday, reversing an earlier view that he was entitled to his opinion.

Henley-on-Thames councillor David Silvester, who defected from the Tories in protest at David Cameron's support for same-sex unions, said he had warned the prime minister of "repercussions" if gay marriage went ahead.

He was suspended by Ukip after defying a request not to do further interviews on his beliefs following his initial claims made in a letter to a local newspaper. The move came as leader Nigel Farage launched a clearout of "extremist, nasty or barmy" views from the party ahead of polls in May.

On Sunday Silvester caused fresh controversy, telling BBC Radio Berkshire that being gay was a "spiritual disease" that can be healed. His remarks led Ukip's official gay and lesbian group to send Silvester a letter saying he had "rightly attracted derision from people of all political beliefs, and once again painted Ukip in a negative light – an unacceptable act for which you cannot be excused".

Tory business minister Michael Fallon said the comments showed "there clearly are one or two fruitcakes still around there" – a reference to David Cameron's previous criticisms of Ukip. » | Patrick Wintour | Sunday, January 19, 2014

UK Storms Are Divine Retribution for Gay Marriage Laws, Says Ukip Councillor

THE GUARDIAN: Former Tory David Silvester says 'natural disasters' are result of David Cameron acting 'arrogantly against the Gospel'

A UK Independence party (Ukip) councillor has claimed that Britain's recent storms and floods are "divine retribution for the government's decision to legalise gay marriage.

David Silvester, who defected from the Tories in protest at David Cameron's support for same-sex unions, claimed he had warned the prime minister that the legislation would result in "disasters".

The Henley-on-Thames councillor said that the country had been "beset by storms" since the passage of the new law on gay marriage because Cameron had acted "arrogantly against the Gospel".

In a letter to the Henley Standard he wrote: "The scriptures make it abundantly clear that a Christian nation that abandons its faith and acts contrary to the Gospel (and in naked breach of a coronation oath) will be beset by natural disasters such as storms, disease, pestilence and war.

"I wrote to David Cameron in April 2012 to warn him that disasters would accompany the passage of his same-sex marriage bill.

"But he went ahead despite a 600,000-signature petition by concerned Christians and more than half of his own parliamentary party saying that he should not do so."

Blaming the prime minister for the bad weather, he added: "It is his fault that large swaths of the nation have been afflicted by storms and floods. » | Press Association | Saturday, January 18, 2014

Tory Blow as Tycoon Paul Sykes Gives UKIP Millions

Paul Sykes, self-made businessman

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Self-made businessman promises to do “whatever it takes” to help Ukip top the polls in May

The UK Independence Party will receive a multi-million pound boost before next year’s European elections after winning support from one of Britain’s wealthiest businessmen.

Paul Sykes, a self-made tycoon and veteran of the campaign to keep the pound 15 years ago, has promised to do “whatever it takes” to help Ukip top the polls in May.

His move deals a big blow to the Conservatives as they fight to contain Nigel Farage’s party.

Mr Sykes supported the Tories under Margaret Thatcher and Michael Howard, but has backed Ukip in the past, giving the party £1.5 million in 2004.

His latest investment in the party is expected to run into several millions. He told the Telegraph that he wanted to finance Ukip’s efforts to pull Britain out of the EU. » | Philip Johnston | Sunday, November 17, 2013

Merkel's Ukip Warning to German Voters

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Angela Merkel’s conservatives issued a strong warning to German voters not to support a fast-rising eurosceptic party in Sunday’s election, highlighting the growing popularity of Ukip in Britain as an example not to be followed.

The Chancellor’s Christian Democrats (CDU), which had deliberately ignored the small Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) so far in the campaign, deployed one of their most respected figures to rip into the new party.

Wolfgang Schaeuble, the veteran finance minister, said anti-European Union sentiment threatened the region’s progress.

“These people claim: 'We’d be better off economically without the euro’,” he told the weekly Die Zeit. “That claim is totally wrong, has no credibility and is extremely dangerous for our prosperity.”

Referring to Ukip, whose rise has been well noted in Germany, he continued: “In the UK there is a political movement with a high degree of euroscepticism. In France, many fear that at the European elections the National Front will be the strongest party. I am thankful that we in Germany, perhaps because of our history, are a little cautious of demagoguery and right-leaning ideas.”

Mr Schäuble added: “I don’t have any time for these people who seem to be trapped in the past. Anyone who starts, like the AfD, with stoking fears towards Europe, quickly moves towards stoking fears of immigrants.” » | Jeevan Vasagar in Berlin | Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Nigel Farage Says Britain Is 'Terrified' Of Upsetting Muslims

THE HUFFINGTON POST: Ukip leader Nigel Farage today denied he was jumping on a political bandwagon by supporting a primary school dinner lady sacked for accidentally serving pork to a Muslim pupil.

Alison Waldock, 51, has said she forgot the dietary needs of seven-year-old Khadija Darr when she asked if she wanted roast gammon, and the youngster said yes.

The headteacher of Queen Edith Primary School in Cambridge spotted the mistake as the youngster was about to eat her lunch and swept the plate away from her.

But after the girl's parents were told about the mistake, they complained to the school's catering firm and Ms Waldock, a dinner lady for 11 years, was suspended and then dismissed.

Mr Farage told ITV1's Daybreak programme: "It's outrageous, isn't it? We've all made mistakes in our lives and in our jobs, and I can imagine 250 kids coming through chattering, it's noisy, you've got time pressures on you, and mistakes get made.

"The reason that Alison's been sacked is that we're so terrified in this country of causing offence to anybody, particularly the Muslim religion." » | Press Association | Thursday, August 01, 2013

THE HUFFINGTON POST: Alison Waldock Dinner Lady Row: Muslim Parents Speak Out Over 'Gammongate' » | Mehdi Hassan | Friday, August 02, 2013

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Opinion: Nigel Farage's Scottish Hounding Was an Antidote to Fawning Media Treatment
THE GUARDIAN: Had the media focused more on Ukip's policies, Farage might not have believed his hype and made such a blunder in Scotland

Thursday's confrontation between Nigel Farage and Scottish protesters has led people to question just why Ukip is so unpopular in Scotland. However, it is the wrong question to ask. Instead we should be asking just what has happened to English culture that a party with a loathsome agenda of homophobia, barely masked racism and a litany of other far-right notions has made such headway in the 21st century. One answer is the media's obsessive treatment of personalities and not politics. The other is the extraordinary gulf that's developing between Scotland and England about the twin referendum campaigns and the political cultures they reflect. » | Mike Small | Friday, May 17, 2013

UKIP's Nigel Farage Explains Why He Hung Up On BBC Scotland
BBC: Nigel Farage has said he hung up on an interview with BBC Scotland because the line of questioning "was insulting and unpleasant".

The UKIP leader was speaking on Good Morning Scotland following angry protests in Edinburgh on Thursday during a campaign to win over the Scottish electorate.

He told the BBC he did not regret the interview's abrupt ending, adding: "I wasn't very impressed with it." (+ BBC audio) » | Friday, May 17, 2013

EXPRESS: 'Nigel Farage has lost the plot': UKIP leader hangs up during explosive Scottish interview: NIGEL FARAGE sensationally hung up during a tense telephone interview this morning, after being accused of being "politically irrelevant" in Scotland. » | Charlotte Meredith | Friday, May 17, 2013

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Nigel Farage Attacks 'Fascist Scum' Protesters
THE GUARDIAN: Ukip leader calls on Scottish first minister Alex Salmond to condemn demonstrators who forced him to flee media briefing


Nigel Farage has described protesters who forced him to flee a press conference as "fascist scum" who were filled with "total and utter hatred" of the English.

The UK Independence party leader challenged the Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, to condemn the "pretty ugly" face of nationalist protesters who forced him to abandon a press conference (video) at the Canon's Gait pub on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Farage had to be whisked away in a police van after a crowd of about 50 young demonstrators, including activists in the radical left pro-Scottish independence movement, forced him to retreat four times.

The Ukip leader told BBC Good Morning Scotland: "The fact that 50 yobbo, fascist scum turn up and aren't prepared to listen to debate I absolutely refuse to believe is representative of Scottish public opinion. It is not.

"If this is the face of Scottish nationalism, it's a pretty ugly nation. The anger, the hatred, the shouting, the snarling, the swearing was all linked in to a desire for the union jack to be burnt."

Farage defended his decision to call the protesters "fascist scum", saying they had been "filled with total and utter hatred of the English and not prepared to engage in debate at all".

He criticised the media for failing to report "the excesses of Scottish nationalism and how deeply unpleasant they can be". » | Nicholas Watt and Severin Carrell | Friday, May 17, 2013

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nigel Farage condemns 'fascist scum' who forced him to take refuge in Edinburgh pub: The Ukip leader Nigel Farage has condemned the "fascist scum" who forced him to take refuge in an Edinburgh pub and hung up on a BBC Scotland interview over outrage at the "hatred" in its questioning. » | Rowena Mason, Political Correspondent | Friday, May 17, 2013

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Nigel Farage Barricaded in Scottish Pub and Rescued by Police Riot Van

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nigel Farage has been barricaded by police in a pub before being whisked away in a riot van after his visit to Scotland was hijacked by hard-Left independence supporters.

The Ukip leader was left stranded in the middle of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, surrounded by around 50 nationalists and socialists calling him a racist, but demanding that he: “Go home to England”.

Police officers attempted to persuade two taxi drivers to take Mr Farage away from the trouble but both refused as the protesters continued to barrack the MEP with chants of “racist Nazi scum”.

A shaken Mr Farage told reporters: “We have never had a reception like this anywhere in Britain before. Clearly, it’s anti-British and anti-English. They hate the Union Jack.”

Police officers then insisted for his own safety that he enter the Canon’s Gait pub, the wooden doors of which were then locked.

The protesters continued to jeer and shout abuse, with some unveiling a 20ft banner that, referring to next year’s referendum, stated: “Vote Yes for Scotland”.

Others among the mostly young crowd serenaded Mr Farage by telling him where he should “stick your Union Jack”. » | Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor | Thursday, May 16, 2013

UKIP Councillor Who Said 'Islam Is a Cancer Which Needs to be Cured with Radiation' on Racist Facebook Page 'to Step Down' After Just 12 Days
MAIL ONLINE: Worcestershire councillor Eric Kitson, 59, has admitted [he] will have to quit / He shared series of controversial anti-Muslim and anti-Semetic messages / Mr Kitson admits he has been 'stupid' but maintains he's not a racist / 'I thought I could handle politics, but I can't - I don't see how I can carry on'

A UKIP councillor has announced he will probably have to step down after less than two weeks because he posted a series of offensive messages about Jews and Muslims online.

Eric Kitson, 59, has admitted 'I don't see how I can possibly carry on' after sharing racist cartoons and messages on Facebook.

One included a picture of a nuclear weapon exploding emblazoned with the message: 'Some cancers need to be treated with radiation, Islam is one of them'.

He also shared an image of a Muslim being roasted over a pile of burning Korans, as well as several anti-Semitic outbursts linking the Rothschild banking dynasty to Adolf Hitler.

In one comment he said in reference to Muslim women: 'Hang um all first then ask questions later.'

The councillor from Stourport, Worcestershire, has apologised to residents and party colleagues for his 'stupid' actions. » | Martin Robinson | Tuesday, May 14, 2013

UKIP Rises: 'Real Democrats' Push Forward as Third Power
Britain's governing Conservative party is dramatically losing seats in local council elections, with the former political outsider - the eurosceptic UK Independence Party - making impressive gains. Early results show UKIP has so far grabbed 26 per cent of the vote, while coming second in the by-election in South-Shields, pushing the Tories into third place.

David Cameron: I Will Work Hard to Win Back UKIP Voters
David Cameron has promised to "work really hard" to win back voters who abandoned the Tories for Ukip after the anti-EU party enjoyed unprecedented success in the local elections.

Read the Daily Telegraph article here | Tim Ross, Political Correspondent | Friday, May 03, 2013