Leader of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party resigns after saying ‘Islam’s a threat’

The leader of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party has been forced to resign after Islamophobic comments she posted on social media were discovered.

Catherine Blaiklock quit on Wednesday, just two months after she set up the party with the former UKIP leader, who went on to represent the group in the European Parliament.

The offensive comments, which were discovered by journalists on Twitter, included a post which said Islam was a ‘threat’ to most of society and was ‘incompatible with liberal democracy’.

Catherine Blaiklock, founder of the Brexit Party talks during an interview in central London, Britain, February 21, 2019. Picture taken February 21, 2019. REUTERS/Simon Dawson
Catherine Blaiklock has resigned over the anti-Islam comments (Picture: Simon Dawson/Reuters)

One of the former Ukip economics spokeswoman’s tweets read: ‘Islam = submission – mostly to raping men it seems.’

(FILES) In this file photo taken on March 25, 2017 An EU flag and a Union flag held by a demonstrator is seen with Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) and the Houses of Parliament as marchers taking part in an anti-Brexit, pro-European Union (EU) enter Parliament Square in central London on March 25, 2017, ahead of the British government's planned triggering of Article 50 next week. - Britain's battle over Brexit resumes on January 7, 2019 when parliament returns from its Christmas break to debate and -- most likely -- defeat Prime Minister Theresa May's unpopular EU divorce deal. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP)DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty ImagesNine out of 10 Brits think UK's handling of Brexit is a 'national humiliation'

She was also found to have retweeted comments from far-right figures, including a post by Mark Collett – a former British National Party activist (BNP) – which referred to ‘white genocide’.

Advertisement

Advertisement

According to The Guardian, another tweet from December 2017, recounted an experience of being at a north London tube station.

It read: ‘8 people waiting for lift, 5 Muslim girls, 1 black, 1 other Asian Chinese, 1 white. Immediately outside saw a drug deal take place. Looked like Turkey.’

Another said: ‘Islam – Threat to women, gays, whites, non-Muslims, Blacks, Indians, Chinese – aggression to everyone but themselves.’

It is understood she took the decision to stand down in response to the newly-discovered online comments.

Brexit campaigner and Member of the European Parliament Nigel Farage holds a Union Jack flag during a debate on Brexit after the vote on British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Nigel Farage co-founded the party alongside Blaiklock (Picture: Vincent Kessler/Reuters)

In a bid to defend herself, the MP claimed the comments were ‘out-of-character’.

In a resignation statement, Blaiklock said her role had been successful in ‘working with Nigel Farage… to set the party up and register it with the Electoral Commission’.

‘The out-of-character comments that I made on social media some time ago were unacceptable in tone and content,’ she continued.

‘After speaking to Nigel Farage, I realise that my comments fall well short of what is expected in any walk of life.

Dad who legally changed his name to Michael Jackson now crowdfunding to change it backSuperfan who changed name to Michael Jackson wants donations to change it back

‘I have accordingly tendered my resignation as party leader.’

Anti-racism campaigners Hope Not Hate, who helped unearth the since-deleted posts, celebrated her resignation.

Campaign director Matthew McGregor said: ‘Blaiklock’s abhorrent racist social media posts reveal the true nature of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party: new branding, same old nasty underbelly’.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Original Article