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Ukip's 'Freepost' address is receiving bricks and party flyers 'at their own expense' Twitter inundated with calls to flood Ukip 'Freepost' address with bricks and party flyers
(about 1 hour later)
Ukip opponents are returning flyers using an address claimed to be Freepost, while others have chosen to send heavy items, including bricks, in an attempt to rack up a huge postal bill for the party. Ukip opponents are returning flyers using an address they claim is Freepost, while others have chosen to send heavy items, including bricks, in an attempt to rack up a huge postal bill for the party.
Twitter has been flooded with images of people returning flyers, leaflets, unwanted household items and, according to reports, even bricks wrapped in Ukip promotional material after a 'Freepost' address was circulated on the internet. Twitter has been flooded with images of people returning flyers, leaflets, unwanted household items and, according to reports, even bricks wrapped in Ukip promotional material after a so-called 'Freepost' address was circulated on the internet.
The address being used is not registered as 'Freepost' on the party's website but was used on a leaflet for a campaign in Norwich in 2010.
The Freepost service allows a person to send mail without affixing a stamp because the recipient chooses to pay the postage fee.The Freepost service allows a person to send mail without affixing a stamp because the recipient chooses to pay the postage fee.
The trend echoes calls made in 2011 to send "a brick or a fridge" to the Nottinghamshire Liberal Democrats using their Freepost address, leading the party to announce they had changed their address to one where "unfortunately you will have to use a stamp". The calls to send Ukip bricks and other items echoed those made in 2011 to send "a brick or a fridge" to the Nottinghamshire Liberal Democrats using their Freepost address, leading the party to announce they had changed their address to one where "unfortunately you will have to use a stamp".
The Nottingham Lib Dems complained after it received up to 300 envelopes, either full of rubbish or empty, but police said sending such items to a Freepost address was not a crime, The Nottingham Post reported.The Nottingham Lib Dems complained after it received up to 300 envelopes, either full of rubbish or empty, but police said sending such items to a Freepost address was not a crime, The Nottingham Post reported.
A spokesperson for the Royal Mail declined to verify if the address being circulated online is actually a Freepost address for the party, or whether heavy items or those larger than the size of a standard envelope can even be sent using this service. Ukip has not responded to requests for comment. A spokesperson for the Royal Mail declined to verify if the address being circulated online is still actually a Freepost address for the party. Ukip has not responded to requests for comment.
The UKIP freepost thing works. Just sent them a box of goodies. Should cost them about a fiver. pic.twitter.com/rQkPN9UpWy
The UKIP freepost thing works. Just sent them a box of goodies. Should cost them about a fiver. pic.twitter.com/rQkPN9UpWyThe UKIP freepost thing works. Just sent them a box of goodies. Should cost them about a fiver. pic.twitter.com/rQkPN9UpWy
Very excited to send this back #ukipfreepost pic.twitter.com/9EDoVByDsoVery excited to send this back #ukipfreepost pic.twitter.com/9EDoVByDso
I got a #UKIP leaflet today & have returned it via freepost with some extra weight... pic.twitter.com/NR5RSb5YGpI got a #UKIP leaflet today & have returned it via freepost with some extra weight... pic.twitter.com/NR5RSb5YGp
#ukipbrickappeal this time it accidentally fell into 10 pieces - each bit in an envelope with a fat glossy mag! pic.twitter.com/YIt2UkfWFy#ukipbrickappeal this time it accidentally fell into 10 pieces - each bit in an envelope with a fat glossy mag! pic.twitter.com/YIt2UkfWFy
Sorry UKIP, had to cut mine into 100 pieces to send back to you, hope you enjoy paying freepost for 100 envelopes:) pic.twitter.com/kzIwQ0mSK2Sorry UKIP, had to cut mine into 100 pieces to send back to you, hope you enjoy paying freepost for 100 envelopes:) pic.twitter.com/kzIwQ0mSK2
This morning the Ukip leader Nigel Farage announced he will not stand in the Newark by-election sparked by former Tory minister Patrick Mercer's decision to quit over a cash-for-questions scandal.This morning the Ukip leader Nigel Farage announced he will not stand in the Newark by-election sparked by former Tory minister Patrick Mercer's decision to quit over a cash-for-questions scandal.
Yesterday, Mr Farage admitted he was "tempted to stand" and said winning a seat in Westminster would "completely transform the landscape" for his party.Yesterday, Mr Farage admitted he was "tempted to stand" and said winning a seat in Westminster would "completely transform the landscape" for his party.
But today he told the BBC: "I don't want to do anything that deflects from the European election campaign, so I am not going to stand in this by-election."But today he told the BBC: "I don't want to do anything that deflects from the European election campaign, so I am not going to stand in this by-election."