Ex-UKIP candidate behind ‘poofers’ and ‘Chinky bird’ comments likens it to ‘Only Fools and Horses’
Kerry Smith, who resigned from UKIP as a prospective parliamentary candidate for making homophobic and racist remarks, says his comments were no worse than the language in the BBC comedy series Only Fools and Horses.
Mr Smith stepped down as a candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock earlier this week after the Mail on Sunday reported leaked phone calls in which he referred to gay people as “poofters” and joked about the party’s LGBT membership group.
He referred to a Chinese woman by a racial slur, calling her a “Chinky bird” and also made unfounded allegations against UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
But yesterday Mr Smith announced his resignation from UKIP and said he was “sick of internal backstabbers who hold minor roles in the party”.
Although he claimed to apologise “unreservedly” for the racist and homophobic rant, Mr Smith told the BBC that his comments were no worse than the language in the TV comedy Only Fools and Horses.
“My language, for the record, was no worse than watching an old episode of Fools and Horses to be fair. I come from the East End, the word was never offensive and if you talked politically correct where I grew up you were battered for being a boffin.
“But there’s no excuse… we are in the politically correct age and I’m just a bit too politically incorrect.”
Mr Smith is a councillor on both Essex County Council and Basildon District Council. He will now sit as an independent.
A UKIP spokesman said of Mr Smith: “He’s not a member of the party. He can do what he likes”.
