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Ukip Thanet South chairman Martyn Heale says he ‘obviously regrets’ time as far-right National Front party member Ukip Thanet South chairman Martyn Heale says he 'obviously regrets' time as far-right National Front party member
(about 7 hours later)
The Ukip party chairman in Thanet South has said he “obviously regrets" his time as a member of the far-right National Front (NF) party in an interview.The Ukip party chairman in Thanet South has said he “obviously regrets" his time as a member of the far-right National Front (NF) party in an interview.
Ukip leader Nigel Farage is standing as an MP in Thanet South in the 2015 general Election, a constituency currently held by Conservative MP Laura Sandys.Ukip leader Nigel Farage is standing as an MP in Thanet South in the 2015 general Election, a constituency currently held by Conservative MP Laura Sandys.
Martyn Heale, who has been a member of Ukip for over a decade, joined the NF in the 1970s for over a year.Martyn Heale, who has been a member of Ukip for over a decade, joined the NF in the 1970s for over a year.
He told the BBC it is “really depressing” to be reminded of his past, adding: "I obviously regret what I did."He told the BBC it is “really depressing” to be reminded of his past, adding: "I obviously regret what I did."
Mr Heale has spoken previously of his regret at joining the NF, describing it as an “unwise decision”.Mr Heale has spoken previously of his regret at joining the NF, describing it as an “unwise decision”.
A spokesperson for Ukip said Mr Heale became a Ukip member before the ban on former far-right party members and said to expel him ‘would be contrary to natural justice”.A spokesperson for Ukip said Mr Heale became a Ukip member before the ban on former far-right party members and said to expel him ‘would be contrary to natural justice”.
Mr Heale's comments come as Ukip rejected remarks made by one of its councillors, after he claimed an "overload" of immigrants had turned Britain into a racist country.Mr Heale's comments come as Ukip rejected remarks made by one of its councillors, after he claimed an "overload" of immigrants had turned Britain into a racist country.
Trevor Shonk, who represents Ukip on Kent County Council and Ramsgate Town Council, blamed Labour and the Conservatives for allowing in more immigrants than he said the country could cope with.Trevor Shonk, who represents Ukip on Kent County Council and Ramsgate Town Council, blamed Labour and the Conservatives for allowing in more immigrants than he said the country could cope with.
"The two main parties that have been running this country have made the country racist because of the influx that we have had," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One."The two main parties that have been running this country have made the country racist because of the influx that we have had," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One.
"When I've done leaflets every shopkeeper, whether they are Asian or English born, they're concerned about the influx."When I've done leaflets every shopkeeper, whether they are Asian or English born, they're concerned about the influx.
"It hasn't been staggered, it's just overload. We haven't got the care homes, we haven't got the houses for our own.""It hasn't been staggered, it's just overload. We haven't got the care homes, we haven't got the houses for our own."
However Ukip deputy chairman Suzanne Evans rejected the suggestion that Britain was racist and said that Mr Shonk "didn't express it as well as he could".However Ukip deputy chairman Suzanne Evans rejected the suggestion that Britain was racist and said that Mr Shonk "didn't express it as well as he could".
"I think Britain is actually a very accommodating country and I don't think by any stretch of the imagination can be termed racist," she told the programme."I think Britain is actually a very accommodating country and I don't think by any stretch of the imagination can be termed racist," she told the programme.
"I know what councillor Shonk meant. Perhaps he didn't express it as well as he could. There has of course been a massive increase in immigration which people find incredibly difficult to deal with.""I know what councillor Shonk meant. Perhaps he didn't express it as well as he could. There has of course been a massive increase in immigration which people find incredibly difficult to deal with."