Ukip Euro MP in ‘expenses fiddle’ is axed

A HIGH-profile Ukip MEP has been expelled from the party after her assistant was filmed allegedly attempting to make fraudulent expense claims.

Ukip last night said Janice Atkinson and her chief of staff Christine Hewitt had been kicked out for ‘ bringing the party into disrepute’.

A disciplinary hearing was held yesterday following allegations that Miss Hewitt had obtained a £3,150 invoice for a drinks party that cost £950 in a bid to ‘repatriate’ extra money from the EU.

Miss Atkinson, an MEP for the South East, had also been due to stand at the general election as the candidate for the Folkestone and Hythe constituency.

Police last week launched an investigation into allegations over the drinks party she hosted at Ukip’s spring conference in Margate, Kent.

The 52-year-old said last night in a statement: ‘I am deeply disappointed by today’s decision and fully intend to appeal.

‘I was elected to represent the constituents of the south-east of England and I will continue to work tirelessly on their behalf and for the best interests of our country.’

Ukip said the MEP and her assistant have 14 days to appeal.

‘This means that Ms Atkinson no longer represents Ukip in the European Parliament and she will no longer be our prospective parliamentary candidate for Folkestone and Hythe,’ said a spokesman.

Miss Atkinson, who was elected as an MEP last year, found herself in hot water last year after she was recorded calling the wife of a supporter ‘a ting tong’.