Ukip deny that they are a racist party

Ukip in new race row over ‘ethnic’ journalist

Ukip in new race row over ‘ethnic’ journalist

Ukip became embroiled in another race row this afternoon after their spokesman referred to a female journalist as being "of some form of ethnic extraction".

The text message about Evening Standard journalist Kiran Randhawa was intended for a party colleague but was accidentally sent to the wrong recipient.

Party spokesman Gawain Towler wrote: "James, my fault but I told the Standard that Nigel would be arriving at approx 10.30 this morning. They have called and I expect a snapper and a female journalist (of some form of ethnic extraction) at Picadilly. Am sorry. Possible more than one snapper as they hunt in packs."

Towler, who is campaing to be a UKIP candidate in next year's European elections today claimed the comment was merely a factual statement about a journalist whose name he couldn't remember.

In his campaign video for the selection earlier this month Towler told his party that: "we need as our public face people who are experienced in dealing with the media and who have dare I say quite thick skins. I believe I am one of those people."

Towler's comments follow a string of controversial statements from other Ukip figures including Godfrey Bloom who famously referred to people living in "bongo-bongo land."

Bloom resigned from the party last week after being filmed shouting "racist" at Channel Four News reporter Michael Crick, before hitting him in the face with a brochure.

Party leader Nigel Farage has also denied claims that he supported far right groups and sang Hitler Youth songs whilst at school.