Ex-UKIP candidate Kerry Smith ‘to run as independent’
Posted: January 7, 2015 Filed under: UKIP | Tags: Basildon South and East Thurrock, homophobia, homophobic, Islamophobia, Kenny Smith, loutish and wholly inappropriate, Neil Hamilton, Nigel Farage, racism, sexism, UKIP Leave a comment
Kerry Smith
Kerry Smith is to announce he will run in the Essex seat of Basildon South and East Thurrock, the BBC has learned.
Mr Smith was forced to resign after apologising for remarks he made in a phone call, a recording of which was obtained by the Mail on Sunday.
UKIP said he was “his own man” and “entitled to stand”.
He had been selected to fight the South Basildon and East Thurrock seat after ex-Tory MP Neil Hamilton pulled out.
But his behaviour was described by UKIP leader Nigel Farage as “loutish and wholly inappropriate” after the remarks were revealed last month.
In the recorded phone call, Mr Smith made offensive remarks about gay people, other UKIP members and Chigwell in Essex.
After resigning from the party, Mr Smith, who sits as an independent on both Essex County Council and Basildon District Council, told the BBC he may have been a victim of “black arts” within the party and that his remarks were no worse than the language in the TV comedy Only Fools and Horses.
UKIP said it would leave it to the people of Basildon to choose who represents them and would not comment on the impact Mr Smith might have on the their vote in May.
Ukip Informer 