UKIP LGBT defies leadership to call for sacking of candidate after ‘poofters’ rant
UKIP’s LGBT wing has defied the party’s leadership to call for the sacking of candidate Kerry Smith – after he ranted about “old poofters”.
A recording released by the Mail on Sunday caught Mr Smith – who is standing for the party in South Basildon and East Thurrock – ranting about “poofters” in LGBTQ* in UKIP, as well as using racist slurs.
He said in the recording: “Olly Neville – the sun shines out of his rear end. He’s now setting up BLT UKIP on Facebook.
“What the old poofter groups call themselves. I just call it a BLT like the sandwiches. It’s them letters BLT with a Q on the end, bacon, lettuce and tomato.
“It’s got our logo done with a rainbow. F**king loopy. That’s been approved by the NEC. That’s f**king disgusting.”
The party leadership has dismissed calls for him to be sacked as a candidate, with MEP and comms director Patrick O’Flynn claiming Mr Smith was not “seriously homophobic” because he apologised, and once backed a gay candidate in an internal election.
Mr O’Flynn said the party “[are] willing to judge him on his performance going forward from now” – but LGBTQ* in UKIP appears to call out its own party leadership in a statement, saying the candidate should have been sacked.
A statement said: “We don’t understand why Kerry Smith hasn’t been given the boot. His apology doesn’t excuse the homophobia, racism and ‘peasant’ remarks.
“Isn’t it obvious? Society would be much improved if we all showed compassion for each other, regardless of race, creed, sexuality and wealth. He has no place in new UKIP.
“It is important to remember the majority of UKIP do not share the views of Kerry Smith, and we have some fantastic Parliamentary candidates standing next year.
“Suzanne Evans, Steven Woolfe, Jane Collins, Peter Whittle, Margot Parker, Jack Duffin, Nathan Garbutt and Cllr Chris Wood to name just a few. These are some of the people who drive UKIP forward as credible alternative Party fit for office and not the likes of Kerry Smith!”
