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07/08/2013
UKIP MEP Stands By 'Bongo Bongo Land' Comments
Following a report by the Guardian on UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom being caught on camera criticising Uk foreign aid being sent to "Bongo Bongo Land" where it was spent on "Ray Ban sunglasses" and "Ferraris", the party has asked Mr Bloom to not use phrases which may be "disparaging" to people abroad.
Mr Bloom was captured on film last month speaking at a meeting in Wordsley, West Midlands. In the footage, obtained by the Guardian, Mr Bloom is quoted as saying: "How we can possibly be giving £1bn a month, when we're in this sort of debt, to bongo bongo land is completely beyond me.
"To buy Ray-Ban sunglasses, apartments in Paris, Ferraris and all the rest of it that goes with most of the foreign aid."
"F18s for Pakistan. We need a new squadron of F18s. Who's got the squadrons? Pakistan, where we send the money."
Questioned about his comments his morning, Mr Bloom told the BBC News Channel that the phrase 'bongo bongo land' was merely a "figment of people's imagination. It's like Ruritania or the Third World."
Adding that he found it sad that people would be offende by a reference to a place that doesn't exist.
While distancing the party from Mr Bloom's comments, UKIP chairman, Steve Crowther, said that foreign aid was an "extremely important debate that needs wider discussion."
(MH/CD)
Mr Bloom was captured on film last month speaking at a meeting in Wordsley, West Midlands. In the footage, obtained by the Guardian, Mr Bloom is quoted as saying: "How we can possibly be giving £1bn a month, when we're in this sort of debt, to bongo bongo land is completely beyond me.
"To buy Ray-Ban sunglasses, apartments in Paris, Ferraris and all the rest of it that goes with most of the foreign aid."
"F18s for Pakistan. We need a new squadron of F18s. Who's got the squadrons? Pakistan, where we send the money."
Questioned about his comments his morning, Mr Bloom told the BBC News Channel that the phrase 'bongo bongo land' was merely a "figment of people's imagination. It's like Ruritania or the Third World."
Adding that he found it sad that people would be offende by a reference to a place that doesn't exist.
While distancing the party from Mr Bloom's comments, UKIP chairman, Steve Crowther, said that foreign aid was an "extremely important debate that needs wider discussion."
(MH/CD)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
