[JoshBB]

A leading UKIP candidate has issued an "unreserved apology" over comments he made in a leaked phone call.

A recording of Kerry Smith's remarks were obtained by the Mail On Sunday.

A UKIP spokesman said they were "the rantings of an angry man" who was on sedatives for an injury at the time.

Mr Smith is the party's candidate to contest the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency at the next general election.

During the recorded conversation, Mr Smith talks about UKIP setting up a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) group.

He can be heard jokingly referring to it as BLT UKIP, and adds "what the old poofter groups call themselves".

He jokes about "shooting peasants" from the Essex town of Chigwell and supporting "a peasant's hunt through Chigwell village".

And he also made comments about the UKIP leadership which he has since retracted.

'Unreserved apology'
Last week Mr Smith was reinstated as UKIP's candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock, a seat in which the party hopes to make a serious challenge.



He had earlier been dropped by the party in favour of the former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton. But Mr Hamilton withdrew his candidature ahead of a selection meeting on Thursday.

A UKIP spokesman confirmed to the BBC that Mr Smith had apologised to the party's leader Nigel Farage.

He described the comments as "the ranting of an angry man" and added that at the time they were made, Mr Smith was on sedatives for an injury.

In a statement made by a UKIP spokesman on his behalf, Mr Smith said: "I wish to issue a wholehearted and unreserved apology to those who I have offended within the party and anyone else.

"With regards to the leadership and management of the party I was completely wrong and my comments were fuelled by frustrations."

Source - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30467897

Maybe doctors should advise patients that medication can lead to outbursts of racism and homophobia.

It's actually quite worrying though as he is the candidate for my constituency, and he's expected to win..