Evening Star - UKIP taken to court by candidate

Evening Star - UKIP taken to court by candidate


UKIP taken to court by candidate

12 November 2008 / 16:17


UKIP Ipswich general election candidate is taking his own party to court following a row over the selection process for becoming a Euro MP.

John West, who will stand for election for UKIP in the North Ipswich and Central Suffolk constituency in the next general election, is demanding a £500 deposit back after failing to get the nod to represent the party at the next European elections due to be held next June.

Mr West declined to reveal details of the dispute but told The Evening Star he has lodged the matter with Ipswich County Court.

UKIP have around three weeks to respond and if the matter is not settled the issue could go before a judge.

Mr West, who is also UKIP chairman for Ipswich and east Suffolk, said: “I can confirm I'm taking legal action against UKIP over the MEP selection process.”

A spokesman for UKIP said: “Mr West underwent the same process as the rest of the candidates.“Unfortunately on this occasion he was not successful.“We gather he is looking for the return of his deposit and the party will look into this at a senior level as soon as it can.”

Ipswich County Court was unable to confirm if a claim has been made.

The East of England constituency has a total of seven MEPs representing the area in Brussels - in 2004 two UKIP candidates were elected from the region.

Oh dear, more dissent and bad publicity for this 'accident prone' political party. Lessons in 'man management' and personnel relations may be required.