Anthony Butcher

Which rules? Do you have a link please?

SponPlague

There's a link to the UKIP constitution at the bottom of the "Welcome" page :P

Anthony Butcher

I don't see any behaviour rules in the constitution

SponPlague

Which is why the discipline committee hasn't convened, yet...
Perhaps the proposed new constitution being worked on will offer more clarity? :?

Anthony Butcher

So how can a member put in a complaint about another member for breaching non-existent rules? And how can Douglas use non existent rules as an excuse for not investigating a complaint? Is that really what he said?

SponPlague

Douglas has said that if Tom can be shown to have broken the UKIP constitution, and this is presented as a complaint, then the discipline committee will be convened. To convene without evidence being presented, would, he feels, be to bias any investigation.

For the moment, it is a matter for the MEPs only. If you feel that they should be doing something, then I suuggest you make your feelings known to your chairman/ reagional organiser.

Tom Wilde

There are rules. I know for a fact that somebody was slung out of the party by the disciplinary committee a few years ago for "bringing UKIP INTO phpbb_disrepute." Therefore there must be rules and it is simply a matter of obtaining a copy of them. Presumably Doug Denny can supply them.

This is all very poor. On the basis of what was published until now I was inclined to give Tom Wise the benefit of the doubt and say we should move on. But this looks more serious. Of course, the Sunday Telegraph report could all be nonsense, so let's not jump to any conclusions - but I think there is a good cause now for the disciplinary committee to look at the various documents for themselves and make their own judgement. That is what the committee is for.

Swivel Eyed Fanatic

Sorry to say this but we are seeing UKIP is no different from any other political party.......caught with their hands in the till people hang on and hang on until when they do go it is far too late and the damage has been done.

Wise should have been suspended immediately the news broke and an initial investigation held within 24 hours. If there was no case to answer then it could have been sorted out and finished. However all this shilly shallying just makes us look as bad as the other parties.......if it is eventually proved no doubt he will leave office "without a stain on his character"

I have no doubt Wise is guilty of nothing more than stupidity but when you live inn a glass house you shouldn't leave stones lying around for anyone to pick up and throw.

If Wise does leave the party but stays on as an Independent MEP then I'm sure this will be the end for UKIP. I know many members who feel let down and disheartened, why are we working, scrimping, saving, putting our own money INTO phpbb_leaflets, entry fees for car boot sales, renting halls, paying for adverts and all that when there are things like this going on........£36,000 for a researcher that he didn't even use.......disgraceful......I know people on income support who regularly walk INTO phpbb_the town centre to use the library because they can't afford the bus fare every day.

This whole situation has made me question my commitment to UKIP like no other occurrence. I am not in this party to line MEP's pockets......maybe it's time to say if he stays then I go.......

Anthony Butcher

How does one break the constitution? Can you provide a couple of examples please?

I am sure that there must be some party discipline rules somewhere. However, since they aren't published anywhere, they can't be enforced. Another UKIP ****-up. Time to publish the rules I think, asap.

SponPlague

Listen, folks, I'm new to the discipline committee. A little slack, please :!: If there are documents that we could, or should be reviewing, then someone needs to submit 'em! They haven't, se we haven't convened yet! Alles Klaar? :twisted: