To the delight of its enemies, Ukip has just announced its general secretary has been suspended over ‘impropriety allegations’. According to a statement released by the party, claims have come to light ‘about the conduct of Mr [Roger] Bird with regard to candidate selection’.
A Ukip spokesman said on Monday evening:
‘Unfortunately, Ukip has had to suspend Mr Bird pending a full investigation into allegations made against him. The party has acted swiftly and decisively and will not tolerate impropriety of any kind amongst its staff.’
Of course, the news will be grist to the mill for those who claim that Ukip is nothing more than a bunch of charlatans, and that it cannot cope with the pressures of being a national movement. The party has offered no more details about the specific nature of these allegations but they are apparently not related to a dozen activists quitting the party over Nigel Farage’s handling of candidate selection.
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