London public rally: Farage & Ukip's ethnic members fight back against racism slurs

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27315328

Nigel Farage: UKIP is not a racist party

Ten people had said things "that are either stupid, or offensive", Nigel Farage told the UKIP event

The UK Independence Party "is not racist", leader Nigel Farage has told activists in central London.

Mr Farage said a "handful" of its thousands of candidates had said "stupid or offensive" things, but "they never have, and they never will", represent the views of the party.

He was speaking at an event designed to highlight UKIP's female, black and ethnic-minority candidates.

The rally was disrupted several times by protesters accusing UKIP of racism.

One UKIP candidate was suspended from the party on Saturday after describing Islam as "evil", and another resigned last week after after tweeting that comedian Lenny Henry should emigrate to a "black country".

But Mr Farage said the party had "professionalised" in recent years, and now had a membership form that urged people whose views were incompatible with UKIP's not to join the party.

Despite these measures, he continued: "There will always be in any system a few people that creep over the line and cause us embarrassment."

There were just 10 people out of the party's 2,234 candidates who had "said things that are either stupid, or offensive", he continued.

"I would rather that it hadn't happened."

'Spoilt children'

But he accused "huge sections of the British media, defending their friends in the so-called main parties - or as we prefer to call them the legacy parties" of over-publicising the "offensive, idiotic statements made by this handful of people".

They "have been lifted up and presented to the Great British public as if they represent the view of this party, which they do not," he said. "They never have, and they never will."

The UKIP leader concluded: "I don't care I you disagree with us, I don't care if you think we're better off being governed by Cameron, Clegg or Miliband, I don't care if you think uncontrolled immigration is good for Britain, I don't care if you criticise us for wanting to be a free independent country, and not under that flag, anthem and preposterous president whose name no-one knows.

"I don't care what you call us. You can call us right-wing, left-wing, you can call us small minded - I don't care what you call us.

"But from this moment on please do not ever call us a racist party. We are not a racist party."

Before Mr Farage delivered his speech, protesters had gathered outside the venue chanting: "UKIP - no way. Immigrants - here to stay," and holding placards that read: "No to UKIP's racist lies."

A number gained access to the venue ahead of the event and heckled the candidates who spoke ahead of Mr Farage, some accusing them of racism.

One candidate, Paula McQueen, said: "There I see some spoilt middle-class children who have nothing better to do.

"How dare they call us racist when being a black Jew, and being 60 years of age, I know what racism is?"

Mr Farage, whose speech went uninterrupted, said the protesters were from the "extreme left" and had been motivated by "hatred".

Standing people up because of their skin colour isn't something you should have to do as it's completely irrelevant in 2014.... but if people keep screaming waycist then what else can you do?

Amazing turnout for a public meeting.

Farage speaks:

Far left interrupt speeches:

Thoughts?

[FlyingJesus]

I'm not racist, I have a black friend!

Also One candidate, Paula McQueen, said: "There I see some spoilt middle-class children who have nothing better to do." is a nice classist statement. Hatred is hatred

[-:Undertaker:-]

I'm not racist, I have a black friend!

Yeah, those ethnic councillors and candidates who meet hundreds of Ukip members don't know what they are talking about. Funny really though isn't it, because Ukip was accused of racism by that twit Michael Crick of C4 News just because they didn't have 'any black faces' on the leafet... yet now Farage stands on a stage with ethnic members and he still can't win.

Goes to show that racism has been devalued into a word that simply means 'I disagree with you'.

Also One candidate, Paula McQueen, said: "There I see some spoilt middle-class children who have nothing better to do." is a nice classist statement. Hatred is hatred

Another invented 'ism' we have to tread carefully around now then?

[FlyingJesus]

Classism isn't a new invention have you ever looked at a society before

[GommeInc]

Funnily enough I can't think of any candidates from other parties that are of an ethnic minority, so if anything UKIP could use that to their advantage. Thinking about it, are there any ethnic minority members of parliament in high up positions? Wikipedia doesn't suggest there are that many, or ever been that many since time immemorial in the commons full stop.

This rally seems a bit tedious. It's proven a point that shouldn't need to be proven. Whether or not it will shut any one up is another question.