This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/ukip-candidate-donald-grewar-resigns-over-endorsement-of-comments-calling-gay-people-perverts-and-paedophiles-on-bnp-website-10021150.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ukip candidate Donald Grewar resigns over endorsement of comments calling gay people 'perverts' and 'paedophiles' on BNP website Ukip candidate Donald Grewar resigns over endorsement of comments calling gay people 'perverts' and 'paedophiles' on BNP website
(34 minutes later)
A Ukip general election candidate has quit following revelations he endorsed offensive far-right messages posted online.A Ukip general election candidate has quit following revelations he endorsed offensive far-right messages posted online.
Donald Grewar apologised to the party for his "foolishness" as he wrote to the party to withdraw from the contest for Newport East, in Wales. Donald Grewar apologised for his "foolishness" as he wrote to the party to withdraw from the contest for Newport East, in Wales.
The party launched an investigation following reports Mr Grewar had backed a post on the British National Party's website, which referred to gay people as “perverts" and "paedophiles". The party launched an investigation following reports Mr Grewar had backed a post on the British National Party's website, which referred to gay people as "perverts" and "paedophiles".
The would-be MP also apparently backed a post by the English Defence League which called for “no surrender to militant Islam or political correctness.” The would-be MP also apparently backed a post by the English Defence League which called for "no surrender to militant Islam or political correctness."
In a letter to Ukip chairman Steve Crowther, Mr Grewar said: "I am sad to have to be writing this letter, but I have come to the conclusion that, following the revelation of some comments that I posted on the Internet a while ago that I have to reconsider my position as the PPC for Newport East.In a letter to Ukip chairman Steve Crowther, Mr Grewar said: "I am sad to have to be writing this letter, but I have come to the conclusion that, following the revelation of some comments that I posted on the Internet a while ago that I have to reconsider my position as the PPC for Newport East.
"I recognise fully that those comments, and the implications of those comments, puts me in breach of the party rules. I had forgotten that I had posted them, but I had."I recognise fully that those comments, and the implications of those comments, puts me in breach of the party rules. I had forgotten that I had posted them, but I had.
"I am truly sorry that my foolishness has caused you, the party and me embarrassment.""I am truly sorry that my foolishness has caused you, the party and me embarrassment."
Mr Crowther told Mr Grewar he was "sorry" to lose him as a candidate, but that he had "done the right thing." Mr Crowther told Mr Grewar he was "sorry" to lose him as a candidate, but said that he had "done the right thing."
He added: "Thank you for your hard work and commitment to the cause."He added: "Thank you for your hard work and commitment to the cause."
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA