UKIP Shown as 'Nutters and Fruitcakes' as MEP Defects to Sit with Mussolini and Le Pen
Thursday 11 January 2007
Elected as a UKIP MEP in 2004, Ashley Mote's defection to the new far right group is embarrassing for his former party
The Conservatives today slammed UKIP following the defection of an MEP elected under their banner in 2004. Endorsing David Cameron's description of UKIP as "nutters and fruitcakes", Timothy Kirkhope MEP, leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, said:
"Although UKIP will condemn Mote's defection, he was elected as a UKIP MEP in 2004, supports their policy of EU withdrawal and only lost the UKIP whip because questions were raised about an alleged trial for housing benefit fraud.
"Mote is the unacceptable face of UKIP. Whilst UKIP branches are folding around the country, people are realising that fringe parties are full of oddballs with no ability to act in the interests of the British public.
"The Conservatives are leading the fight for reform in Europe, delivering success like opening up the EU services sector to free trade. UKIP deliver only embarrassing jokes like Mote which shame the country."
ENDS
