Ex-Ukip leader Farage brands far-right activist appointment ‘appalling’

UKIP LEADER Gerard Batten has defended his decision to appoint far-right activist Tommy Robinson as an adviser, after the move was branded appalling by his predecessor, Nigel Farage.

Mr Farage accused Mr Batten of taking the Eurosceptic party in a “shameful” direction and called for him to be ousted as leader.

But Mr Batten denied that he was taking Ukip to the extremes and offering a welcome to racists.

He said Mr Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – would help him turn Ukip into a “mass movement ... a party for ordinary people”. Mr Batten told BBC Radio 4’s

World At One: “I think he is very courageous, he is very brave in what he does. He stands up for these victims of industrialised sexual abuse and by and large I think he does positive things.” Mr Farage said he was “appalled” by the announcement that the controversial founder of the English Defence League (EDL) will advise Mr Batten on rape gangs and prison reform.

“The NEC of the party voted overwhelmingly last week not to have a ballot of members to let the man, potentially, join the party,” Mr Farage told Radio 4’s Today programme.

“But Gerard Batten has got this sort of fixation with Tommy Robinson and discussing Islam, and dragging Ukip into a direction of effectively being a sort of street activist party.”

Mr Batten said that in his role as special adviser, Mr Robinson would not have to join Ukip, which bars former members of racist organisations.