Worst Ukip gaffes: apologies all round as party trips up again

Ukip's Kerry Smith has issued a "wholehearted and unreserved apology" for offensive remarks he made during a phone call, but claimed that his comments had been made under the influence of a powerful sedative.

Smith had been selected as the candidate for the South Basildon and Thurrock seat when the former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton withdrew from the campaign after accusing senior Ukip figures of "dirty tricks".

In a recorded conversation Smith referred to Ukip's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) group as BLT Ukip, adding that was "what the old poofter groups call themselves".

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He also joked about shooting "peasants" in the Essex town of Chigwell, saying that he supports "a peasant's hunt through Chigwell village".

Smith's comments are the latest in a long series of gaffes and controversies from Ukip party members. Here are some of the most serious.

Gerard Batten on Islam

In February, Gerard Batten, one of the founding members of Ukip suggested that British Muslims should be made to sign a special "code of conduct". He also suggested banning halal and kosher slaughter of animals as well as outlawing Islamic banks, The Guardian reports. The so-called "charter of Muslim understanding", which Batten said he could not see any reasonable, normal person objecting to, was later criticised by party leader Nigel Farage for "not treating people equally".

Roger Helmer on homosexuality

The East Midlands British Member of the European Parliament became caught up in a sexuality row in May when he suggested that homosexual people should be able to judge sexuality in the same way they judge types of tea, The Independent reports. "Different people may have different tastes," Helmer said, adding that in his view it was "morally acceptable to prefer heterosexuality over homosexuality, or vice versa".

Bill and Star Etheridge on political correctness

Bill and Star Etheridge defected to Ukip after being disciplined while campaigning as potential Conservative councillors. The pair posted pictures of themselves posing with golliwog dolls as an expression of their opposition to political cortrectness. On defecting, Bill Etheridge said that he had a "right to express his views".

Nigel Farage on immigration

The Ukip leader was himself embroiled in controversy when he appeared on London's LBC radio and said he felt "uncomfortable" when he heard foreign languages being spoken on public transport in London, the Daily Mirror reports. Prime minister David Cameron described Farage's comments as "pretty unpleasant". His views on breastfeeding also caused controversy earlier this month.

Godfrey Bloom on women

Bloom, who once described countries that receive aid as "Bongo Bongo Land", addressed female audience members at a fringe event at the 2013 Ukip conference, telling them "this place is full of sluts", the Daily Telegraph reports. Farage disciplined the MEP, saying that the comments were "beyond the pale". Bloom resigned his party membership in 2014.