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Ukip shock over byelection candidate who backed voluntary repatriation Ukip shock over byelection candidate who backed voluntary repatriation
(17 days later)
The Ukip candidate in a crucial byelection next month is facing fresh controversy after it emerged he has defended the policy of voluntary repatriation of immigrants from Britain.The Ukip candidate in a crucial byelection next month is facing fresh controversy after it emerged he has defended the policy of voluntary repatriation of immigrants from Britain.
Roger Helmer, an MEP for Nigel Farage's party who is standing in the Newark byelection, wrote in a book published in 2002 that he could not understand the vehement opposition to the policy within mainstream parties. Voluntary repatriation, in which legal immigrants are given financial assistance to leave the UK, was supported at the last election only by the BNP. The last time the policy was accepted by a mainstream party was in 1970, when it was a cause of the Tory MP Enoch Powell and featured in his party's manifesto. Roger Helmer, an MEP for Nigel Farage's party who is standing in the Newark byelection, wrote in a book published in 2002 that he could not understand the vehement opposition to the policy within mainstream parties. Voluntary repatriation, in which legal immigrants are given financial assistance to leave the UK, was openly espoused at the last election only by the BNP, which included it in its manifesto, and yet the policy was originally introduced in the Immigration Act in 1971 and replaced by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act in 2002, bringing the UK into line with the aims of the European Return Fund.
Helmer has previously provoked controversy for defending those who find homosexuality "distasteful if not viscerally repugnant". He has also been criticised for suggesting women should bear some responsibility for date rape in certain circumstances.Helmer has previously provoked controversy for defending those who find homosexuality "distasteful if not viscerally repugnant". He has also been criticised for suggesting women should bear some responsibility for date rape in certain circumstances.
The emergence of his comments on voluntary repatriation will inevitably raise fresh questions about Farage's party after a series of council election candidates were exposed for holding racist or Islamophobic views. On Friday, Farage's spin doctor attempted to halt a live radio interview as the Ukip leader struggled with questions over Romanian immigrants.The emergence of his comments on voluntary repatriation will inevitably raise fresh questions about Farage's party after a series of council election candidates were exposed for holding racist or Islamophobic views. On Friday, Farage's spin doctor attempted to halt a live radio interview as the Ukip leader struggled with questions over Romanian immigrants.
In his book, A Declaration of Independence, Helmer wrote: "I was surprised by the vehemence with which some party spokesmen attacked the concept of voluntary repatriation. It was described in the most intemperate language – 'abhorrent' was one of the milder words used. I have even seen the idea of voluntary repatriation compared to ethnic cleansing. This is a lunatic comparison."In his book, A Declaration of Independence, Helmer wrote: "I was surprised by the vehemence with which some party spokesmen attacked the concept of voluntary repatriation. It was described in the most intemperate language – 'abhorrent' was one of the milder words used. I have even seen the idea of voluntary repatriation compared to ethnic cleansing. This is a lunatic comparison."
In an interview with the Observer, Helmer also admitted that while those in the public eye are "these days obliged to take care with the sort of language we use", he "would be extremely upset if the BBC fired" Jeremy Clarkson, following the emergence of a Top Gear outtake in which the presenter was heard to use a racially offensive term. Helmer added: "They [the BBC] are terribly sensitive on these issues."In an interview with the Observer, Helmer also admitted that while those in the public eye are "these days obliged to take care with the sort of language we use", he "would be extremely upset if the BBC fired" Jeremy Clarkson, following the emergence of a Top Gear outtake in which the presenter was heard to use a racially offensive term. Helmer added: "They [the BBC] are terribly sensitive on these issues."
The corporation has warned Clarkson that he will be fired if he makes any further offensive remarks.The corporation has warned Clarkson that he will be fired if he makes any further offensive remarks.
Helmer was announced as Ukip's candidate for the Newark parliamentary byelection after the Tory incumbent Patrick Mercer stood down over a cash-for-questions scandal.Helmer was announced as Ukip's candidate for the Newark parliamentary byelection after the Tory incumbent Patrick Mercer stood down over a cash-for-questions scandal.
Farage has previously defended Helmer's views. Earlier this month he said: "Roger Helmer is fighting this byelection for us; he's somebody of 70 years of age who grew up with a strong Christian bible background. He grew up in an age when homosexuality was actually imprisonable, and he had a certain set of views which he maintained for many years which he now says he accepts the world's moved on and he's relaxed about."Farage has previously defended Helmer's views. Earlier this month he said: "Roger Helmer is fighting this byelection for us; he's somebody of 70 years of age who grew up with a strong Christian bible background. He grew up in an age when homosexuality was actually imprisonable, and he had a certain set of views which he maintained for many years which he now says he accepts the world's moved on and he's relaxed about."
Ukip's spokesman did not return the Observer's calls. Ukip's spokesman did not return the Observer's calls.• This article was amended on 3 June 2014. Originally it claimed that voluntary repatriation was supported only by the British National Party at the last election and last supported by a mainstream party in 1970. In fact it has been the policy of all main parties since the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act of 2002.