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UKIP EU election candidate quits mid-campaign over Carl Benjamin's rape 'joke'

Joe Gamp
·Contributor, Yahoo News UK
Updated
(GETTY)
Robert McNeil Wilson resigned over a tweet sent by Carl Benjamin (Pictured) (GETTY)

UKIP MEP candidate Robert McNeil-Wilson has resigned from the party in protest over Carl Benjamin’s rape ‘joke’

The Welsh MEP candidate said the party was no longer a ‘serious, reasonable, responsible and credible party’.

In the case of it being too late for the EU to take him off the UKIP list, he will quit the EU Parliament immediately if he is elected.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 23: Labour MP Jess Phillips attends a rally in Parliament Square after over 1 million people took part in the anti-Brexit 'Put it to the People' march through central London to demand a public vote on the final outcome of Brexit. Britain's departure from the EU is now scheduled for 22 May provided that MPs in Parliament approve Theresa May's negotiated Withdrawal Agreement, otherwise the UK has to propose a new plan by 12 April. March 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo credit should read Wiktor Szymanowicz / Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Carl Benjamin made an offensive rape 'joke' against Labour MP Jess Phillips (GETTY)

Carl Benjamin came under fire after tweeting to Ms Phillips: ‘I wouldn't even rape you.’

Mr Benjamin refused to ‘apologise for my crimes against political correctness’, adding:’There's been an awful lot of talk about whether I would or wouldn't rape Jess Phillips.

‘I've been in a lot of trouble for my hard line stance of not even raping her

‘I suppose with enough pressure I might cave, but let's be honest, nobody's got that much beer.’

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West Midlands Police said they are investigating ‘to establish if an offence has taken place.’

Ukip has refused to drop him as a candidate in the forthcoming elections.

The Mirror reports how a letter written by Mr McNeil-Wilson criticised party leader Gerard Batten for backing Mr Benjamin and Mr Meechan in a launch press conference.

The letter read: ‘The [EU election launch] press conference with the high-profile appointment, appearance and promotion of the two men whom Mr Batten announced as stand-up comedians has caused me to no longer believe in UKIP as a serious, reasonable, responsible and credible party for which I can work and represent.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Youtuber Carl Benjamin is interviewed following a UKIP press conference on April 18, 2019 in London, England. As the date for Brexit has been extended, it is likely that the UK will take part in the forthcoming European Elections to choose MEPs to represent regions of the UK in the European Parliament. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Mr Benjamin has defended his comments as a 'joke' (GETTY)

‘I regret, therefore, that I must advise you that I have decided to terminate my membership of UKIP, with immediate effect.’

Mr McNeil-Wilson also confirmed his resignation to the Mirror and that he would now campaign for the Brexit Party.

A UKIP spokesman said: ‘We won't be commenting on the resignation.’