SponPlague

Dear Members of the NEC,

I have been away filming.

I note Christopher Gill has informed you that – “(RP) claims that UKIP staff made undertakings to assist him in this process, whether true or false, are entirely irrelevant, the onus etc etc”. This shows how totally incompetent Christopher Gill has been – totally matching Nigel’s description of him as “unprofessional”. It is actually the crux of the issue – I was given advice from UKIP’s paid staff and took it. Does Gill take advice from accountants, solicitors etc – that is what paid professionals are for – to give advice that we mortals can have confidence in. I had confidence in the advice given – I had no reason to believe that Challice and Reeve were giving me bad, incompetent, unprofessional advice – which is clearly Gill’s view. Gill believes that the relevant is irrelevant which confirms my view of him – it’s either genetic, he’s a buffoon or he’s t a typical Tory backbencher. He forgets too that I had broken ribs at the time and was on antibiotics. Has Gill ever had broken ribs? My Telegraph “Diary” of late April will follow.

Incidentally I was not given an “extension” – Reeve and Challice, in view of my condition simply said “do it this way”.

Clearly others, for whatever reason have made use of this to knock me out of the election.

Originally George Curtis said the only reason stopping me taking part in the process was that I would not be able to have a “screen test”. As I said at the beginning – sorry I have just been away filming.

Oh – and I wanted to interview Nigel for my fishing article in today’s Mail On Suday – despite the invitation he failed to get back to me.

In the MOS Nigel says he wants to get rid of the people causing trouble in UKIP. I suggest he starts with those who in my opinion are bringing UKIP into disrepute – largely through its flawed election process - Gill, Whittaker, Bannerman, Curtis and of course Nigel himself – pot calling kettle etc.

Yours sincerely,

Robin Page

PS I will be writing an Open Letter to Nigel soon. It won’t be this week as I have some more filming to do – please don’t tell George Curtis

Independent UKIP

I don't doubt that the level of bitterness so present in every part of this letter is not good for his health and his report of his surfing holiday in Cornwall, which I would still like to be confirmed is not the reason for his failure to submit his application on time; stated as I recall that he had other/prior health problems/issues.

Independent UKIP

As I read it the only rational reason Page wants Farage out is because he failed to get back to him concerning his fishing article. To be honest I was a tad surprised there was no UKIP commentary in the piece. As we are constantly told on this forum Farage should not be the only spokesperson for UKIP in the media, I quite agree. Who else within UKIP did Page ask to interview for his article? Perhaps those who would criticise UKIP on this narrow issue of who Page might have interviewed will confirm they would have the exact same view if Page were still a supporter of Farage and the UKIP leadership.

Page says: I won't quote fully as this apparently leaves me subject to potential libel claims, not that I own any property. Good luck Spon.

I could not disagree more with Page on this point. The role of Mr Gill was surely to adhere to the rules as described subject to any latitude allowed to him and so used by him. What other persons did or did not do can not reasonably (Mr Collier) mean that Mr Gill was in error or be used to criticise him. If Page has an arguable case it is surely against Mr Challice and Mr Reeve. He needlessly slurs Mr Gill with the offensive (to me) words he uses: which confirm to me that Page is unsuited to be a representative of the millions of people in the Eastern region within the European Parliament. He might, however, be suitable as an UKIP councillor in my opinion. I hope he will consider seeking a public role such as that in the future.

Editing my very flawed post timed at 12.33am which made sense at the time but no longer does so :

I don't doubt that the level of bitterness so present in every part of this letter is not good for his health.

His report of his surfing holiday in Cornwall, which I would still like to be confirmed is not the reason for his failure to submit his application on time; referred to some prior and existing health issues.

Mark Croucher

One wonders why he took guidance from two employees, one of whom is based, by his own admission, at an office he doesn't trust. After all, he knew who the returning officer was and complained to him about his exclusion, and not to the same two employees.

Perhaps we should all take a leaf from this book. When I want something that's unlikely to be granted during the next general election, I'm going to ask for permission from the receptionist at Dartford Borough Council. When I am excluded from the election, I shall complain to the returning officer (also the Chief Executive) that I had permission from one of his staff and that it was ok. Undoubtedly, the returning officer will see my point of view and reinstate me forthwith. Or not.

M