Following the expose of the alleged sadomasochistic sex practices of Shneur Odze, the Salford based UKIP candidate in this week's Greater Manchester Mayor election, Joe O'Neill, the acting Chair of Salford UKIP has resigned.
The Mail on Sunday and the Salford Star revealed this weekend how Odze, a married ultra orthodox Jewish man, has allegedly been involved in wild 'rape fantasies' with a woman he met on a 'kinky community' dating site (for full background see previous Salford Star articles – click here and click here, or the Mail on Sunday – click here). UKIP nationally has continued to back its candidate.
"It's with deep regret that after the latest disaster to affect the party I feel little option but to offer my resignation" Joe O'Neill explains "I took on the role as temporary Chair of the group with a hope of rebuilding what once was a serious branch offering stiff opposition to Labour.
"With a number of emails I read yesterday in relation to what I can only describe as a damaging public relations exercise to affect Salford, the consensus was no crime had been committed...
"...That may be correct but morally I, and I believe many members of the voting public will feel the same - that trust and family values have been broken" he says "I agree that the voting slips are now printed and to ask our candidate to stand down would be a wasted exercise, but one I feel as a party we should have taken.
"The calls I received yesterday asked 'Do we support the actions of this individual?'" he adds "I do not. In politics I firmly believe you live on your reputation and your moral standing; I hope I can walk away with mine still intact. I offer all my colleagues the best of luck in the upcoming elections. Sadly I will not be there with them..."
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