Image: Gerard Batten on Twitter
Yesterday, Gerard Batten appointed Tommy Robinson as his “Special Personal Advisor on Rape Gangs and Prison Reform”, a move which has received huge support from much of UKIP’s grassroots.
UKIP's new 'interim manifesto,' launched at their Party Conference in September this year, contains plans for all-Muslim prisons, restrictions on migrants from Islamic countries and plans to scrap a swathe of equality and anti-racism laws. Much of which Tommy Robinson would agree with.
Asked whether it was appropriate to take advice from someone with a criminal record, Mr Batten said those with "minor convictions" deserved a second chance.
He told BBC News that Tommy Robinson was a "high profile" figure who had been "persecuted by the state because of his views".
"I think he's a good person to have on side, a lot of people respect his stand on things and his courage."
Nigel Farage criticised UKIP's association with the ex-English Defence League leader. He said he was "appalled" by the appointment and revealed he will be writing to the National Executive Committee of the party today, urging that we have a vote of no confidence in Gerard Batten as leader, that we get rid of him," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Mr Batten claimed Mr Farage had shown "0% interest" in UKIP since "walking away".
It should be remembered that Farage deserted UKIP on the day of its greatest triumph, the day when the votes were counted and UKIP had won the EU referendum. His resignation as leader caused UKIP to lose all its Brexit momentum and resulted in a succession of new leaders, none of which proved to be any good.
Despite Nigel’s stance that UKIP should not allow Tommy Robinson to join the party as a result of his past membership of the EDL, Farage appointed Martyn Heale, a former National Front member, as his campaign manager in the 2015 General Election.
Read more: BBC
