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Ukip candidate: halt immigration to prevent Romanian crime Ukip candidate: halt immigration to prevent Romanian crime
(35 minutes later)
Ukip's candidate in the Eastleigh byelection has called for a temporary halt to all immigration to prevent Romanians coming to Britain and committing crimes.Ukip's candidate in the Eastleigh byelection has called for a temporary halt to all immigration to prevent Romanians coming to Britain and committing crimes.
Diane James, who was in the Hampshire constituency for a rally with the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, said: "Immigration is the elephant in the room that the other parties want not to address because they are heavily reliant on unrestricted immigration."Diane James, who was in the Hampshire constituency for a rally with the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, said: "Immigration is the elephant in the room that the other parties want not to address because they are heavily reliant on unrestricted immigration."
When asked what she meant, James said: "Because in the last few years immigrants have settled in areas where there are a large number of Labour voters.When asked what she meant, James said: "Because in the last few years immigrants have settled in areas where there are a large number of Labour voters.
"On 1 January 2014 the floodgates will open for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens [to come to Britain]," she added."On 1 January 2014 the floodgates will open for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens [to come to Britain]," she added.
"We are not just talking about pressure on services from immigration but also, and I have to say it, the crime associated with Romanians."We are not just talking about pressure on services from immigration but also, and I have to say it, the crime associated with Romanians.
"One of the problems with the Olympics last year was the Metropolitan police having to deal with Romanian criminal gangs pickpocketing.""One of the problems with the Olympics last year was the Metropolitan police having to deal with Romanian criminal gangs pickpocketing."
She said unrestricted immigration was an issue for the country.She said unrestricted immigration was an issue for the country.
"Until we sort out the UK Border Agency and make it fit for purpose, the only way is a moratorium on immigration.""Until we sort out the UK Border Agency and make it fit for purpose, the only way is a moratorium on immigration."
James sits as an independent councillor in Waverley borough council in Surrey. She said she wanted to make history by becoming the first Ukip MP and her election would send a very clear message to the three major parties about their broken promises. James is an independent councillor in Waverley borough, Surrey. She said she wanted to make history by becoming the first Ukip MP and her election would send a very clear message to the three major parties about their broken promises.
Farage said Ukip was starting the campaign with 16% of the vote and the figures showed the party was taking votes from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.Farage said Ukip was starting the campaign with 16% of the vote and the figures showed the party was taking votes from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
"One myth is that we just take votes from the Conservatives. We don't. We are going to fight this campaign hard," he said."One myth is that we just take votes from the Conservatives. We don't. We are going to fight this campaign hard," he said.
On immigration, Farage said he had "absolutely nothing" against the 29 million people that will be able to leave Bulgaria and Romania next year but there should not be an open-door policy for them. On immigration, Farage said he had nothing against the 29 million people who will be able to leave Bulgaria and Romania next year but there should not be an open-door policy for them.
He added that immigrants should only be given benefits if they have lived in Britain for five years, have paid their taxes and have obeyed the law. He added that immigrants should be given benefits only if they have lived in Britain for five years, have paid their taxes and have obeyed the law.
Ukip is expecting to do well in the 28 February poll sparked by Lib Dem Chris Huhne standing down after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice by getting his former wife to take his speeding points. Ukip is expecting to do well in the 28 February poll in the seat vacated by the Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne, who stood down after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice by getting his former wife to take his speeding points.
All the major parties have selected their candidates except Labour, which will do so on Tuesday. All the major parties have selected their candidates except Labour, which will do so on Tuesday. The contest is likely to be closely fought between the Lib Dems and the Tories. Huhne held the seat in the 2010 general election with a majority of 3,864.
The contest is likely to be closely fought between the Lib Dems and the Tories. Huhne held the seat in the 2010 general election with a majority of 3,864.