General Election 2015: Ukip activists accused of intimidating voters in South Thanet

 
General Election 2015: Nigel Farage poses as he leaves after casting his vote at a polling station in Ramsgate (Picture: AP)
Alexandra Rucki7 May 2015
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Ukip supporters have been accused of verbally intimating voters outside polling stations in South Thanet.

Labour candidates said Ukip activists were stationed outside four polling booths in the Kent constituency, where Nigel Farage is hoping to win a seat.

Mr Farage has denied any of his party’s officials were involved in the intimidation, but told the Guardian he could not be to blame for individuals claiming to be from Ukip.

A Labour spokesman said supporters of the Eurosceptic party were telling people outside polling stations to vote Ukip, with as many as 10 people outside one voting centre.

The groups were said to be positioned at polling stations in Linley Road, Broadstairs, Holy Trinity Church, also in Broadstairs, Durban Road, Margate and Portland Centre.

Labour volunteers also said a group of Ukip supporters stormed into the South Thanet office and began verbally abusing them.

The spokesman said: “At three of them there was a small crowd of two or three people telling them (voters) to vote Ukip. Five to 10 people were at one of them.

“We also had three Ukip supporters come into the Labour office being verbally abusive towards our activists and volunteers at around 3pm this afternoon.

“It seems there was extremely tense intimidation. Ukip’s presence in South Thanet is something which is drawing down politics in the area.”

Brian Messenger, a Conservative candidate in Margate, also told the Guardian his party received complaints of intimidation of voters outside some polling stations.

A Conservative South Thanet spokesman said the group “deplores” any voter intimidation.

Ukip have said local councillors’ properties in the area have been attacked and posters have been ripped up during the campaign.

The result in South Thanet is expected to be announced at 6am on Friday. Mr Farage has said he will stand down as leader of Ukip if he fails to win the election.

Kent police reportedly were investigating “disturbances” at several polling stations, but their initial inquiries suggested no offences occurred.

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