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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Street rows force Nigel Farage no-show | Street rows force Nigel Farage no-show |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| UKIP leader Nigel Farage has pulled out of a musical carnival organised by his party after supporters argued with protesters in the street. | UKIP leader Nigel Farage has pulled out of a musical carnival organised by his party after supporters argued with protesters in the street. |
| A steel band hired for the event in Croydon, south London, refused to continue playing when told they had been hired on behalf of UKIP. | A steel band hired for the event in Croydon, south London, refused to continue playing when told they had been hired on behalf of UKIP. |
| People carrying banners argued with party activists over Mr Farage's recent comments about Romanians. | |
| UKIP's Winston McKenzie said Mr Farage had withdrawn for security reasons. | UKIP's Winston McKenzie said Mr Farage had withdrawn for security reasons. |
| The anti-EU party had promised to bring a "strong and positive message" to the streets of Croydon, with a "bold and vibrant" carnival-style campaign event. | The anti-EU party had promised to bring a "strong and positive message" to the streets of Croydon, with a "bold and vibrant" carnival-style campaign event. |
| 'Diminished' | 'Diminished' |
| The band Endurance Steel played as the protesters gathered, with one woman holding a banner accusing UKIP of "racism" after Mr Farage said last week that people would not feel comfortable if a group of Romanian men moved next door. | The band Endurance Steel played as the protesters gathered, with one woman holding a banner accusing UKIP of "racism" after Mr Farage said last week that people would not feel comfortable if a group of Romanian men moved next door. |
| Arguments followed between the demonstrators and Mr McKenzie, a candidate in Thursday's council elections in Croydon. | Arguments followed between the demonstrators and Mr McKenzie, a candidate in Thursday's council elections in Croydon. |
| Mr McKenzie told the BBC: "They've diminished the meaning of racism... They've taken away the meaning of racism, which is a very potent subject." | Mr McKenzie told the BBC: "They've diminished the meaning of racism... They've taken away the meaning of racism, which is a very potent subject." |
| When informed that UKIP was holding the event, Endurance Steel withdrew their services and packed up their instruments, saying they had not been told previously. | When informed that UKIP was holding the event, Endurance Steel withdrew their services and packed up their instruments, saying they had not been told previously. |
| After about an hour of confusion, Mr McKenzie confirmed that Mr Farage would not attend, telling reporters: "He's a responsible family man and political party leader. Certain situations you have to avoid." | After about an hour of confusion, Mr McKenzie confirmed that Mr Farage would not attend, telling reporters: "He's a responsible family man and political party leader. Certain situations you have to avoid." |
| He added: "Croydon is unsafe and a dump." | He added: "Croydon is unsafe and a dump." |
| After the rally broke up, a small number of UKIP activists continued to hand out leaflets to passing shoppers amid calmer scenes. | After the rally broke up, a small number of UKIP activists continued to hand out leaflets to passing shoppers amid calmer scenes. |
| A Croydon party member, who would not give his name, said while he was disappointed not to meet Mr Farage, his decision not to attend was understandable. | A Croydon party member, who would not give his name, said while he was disappointed not to meet Mr Farage, his decision not to attend was understandable. |
| He said: "He's one of the hardest working politicians in the country. | He said: "He's one of the hardest working politicians in the country. |
| "The event has been frustrating. You expect a bit of barracking but this was not helpful." | "The event has been frustrating. You expect a bit of barracking but this was not helpful." |
| Asked about his absence later, Mr Farage said he had never been "committed" to attending the event, saying he was "quite busy" running a national election campaign. | Asked about his absence later, Mr Farage said he had never been "committed" to attending the event, saying he was "quite busy" running a national election campaign. |