Ukip leadership candidate admits not declaring drink-drive conviction
Ukip leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe has admitted failing to declare a drink-driving conviction when he stood for a police and crime commissioner post.
The MEP, front-runner in the race to succeed Nigel Farage as party leader, said he “forgot about the conviction” when he stood in the Greater Manchester PCC election in 2012, in a possible breach of electoral law.
PCC candidates must declare convictions for which they could have received a prison sentence, the Electoral Commission says.
Woolfe said he was fined £350 and disqualified from driving for nine months after being caught drunk in charge of a scooter in 2002.
“I made a foolish mistake 14 years ago which I regret. As the years went on I forgot about the conviction as I got on with my life,” he said.
It comes after Mr Woolfe blamed a technical blunder for missing Ukip’s leadership nominations deadline, leaving his bid in the hands of party officials. Mr Woolfe insists he is still in the race despite overshooting the deadline of noon on Sunday by 17 minutes, and has left the door open for a legal challenge if party officials block him from standing.
The party made it clear there would be no final decision until the completion of vetting procedures on Tuesday.
He said he had been on the phone with a Ukip official at 11.56, “pressing the button” to submit the application, and sent photographs to prove it.
Asked if he would pursue legal action if his application was rejected, he replied: “I hope it wouldn’t come to that.”