Meet the EDL thug who just loves UKIP
(...Farage and Paul Nuttall both have) A third of Labour MPs to rebel on Brexit
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall gives the thumbs up as he poses with a yob from the far-right English Defence League.
Mr Nuttall met convicted thug Andy Edge at an event last year. Edge, a former leader of Stockport EDL, was convicted in 2014 of violent disorder during a rally.
As he was led away to begin a 21-month sentence he chanted: ‘EDL, EDL, EDL.’
Labour MP Alison McGovern said: “For Paul Nuttall to associate himself with far-right extremists like Andy Edge is very concerning.
“He should immediately clarify these alleged links. Our grandparents’ generation gave everything to fight against far-right hatred. We cannot let them down now and allow the far-right to rise again.”
The embarrassing snap was posted on Edge’s Facebook page. He is also pictured with his arm around former UKIP chief Nigel Farage, while another shot shows Edge firing a pistol at a shooting range.
Mr Nuttall is keen to portray a cleancut image as he campaigns in the Stoke Central by-election.
In October this year, Edge claimed he was a UKIP campaign manager, something the party strongly denied.
A UKIP spokesman: “I’ve spoken to our regional organiser and he has never heard of this man [Edge]. He met Paul Nuttall at an event in Bolton where hundreds of people had their photograph taken with him. It’s obvious he is a hardright troll and he is nothing to do with us.” A THIRD of Labour MPs are set to defy Jeremy Corbyn and vote against triggering Article 50.
Tulip Siddiq and Jo Stevens have already quit their Shadow roles over his decision to enforce a threeline whip – and insiders say more are planning to rebel.
One source said: “It is putting people in a tough position. There’s no way if you are in a Remain constituency you’ll back Brexit – whatever Corbyn’s instructions are.”
Shadow whips Jeff Smith and Thangam Debbonaire have said they will not back Article 50. And our source said at least one other whip also plans to oppose Mr Corbyn.
They added: “The whips are trying to force people to obey instructions but a lot of them don’t believe in it themselves.”
And a source close to Mr Corbyn said: “We are trying to improve the Bill by tabling amendments.” They are likely to include tariff-free access to the single market.
The Lib Dems have already tabled three amendments: a referendum on the final deal, guarantees on the rights of EU nationals and single market membership. Leader Tim Farron said: “The PM has no mandate for the hard Brexit she is pursuing.”
Most Lib Dems are expected to oppose Article 50, along with the SNP, Green MP Caroline Lucas and the three members of the SDLP. BY , MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark LABOUR exists to represent all UK workers and they face no greater risk than the PM’s headlong rush for Brexit.
I made a promise in 2015: I cannot vote for anything in Parliament that will damage my community.
Labour supporting Article 50 is far worse – it risks the UK’s very existence.