UKIP Uncovered

UKIP Uncovered
What motivates the leaders of the United Kingdom Independence Party?

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

The Head Office Office Lock-out

We have received this report on the recent events from Andy Edwards:-

Quote
Hi, at last I've been able to piece together the sequence of events that led up to the Lock-Out at UKIP HQ. The information has been obtained, in the main, from one of the three female members of staff present that morning. Many will not be very surprised that the facts don't entirely coincide with the version given to the Financial Times, presumably, by the UKIP Press Officer.

The sequence of events:

December 14th
Michael Harvey faxed Derek Clark seeking assurances that the new premises had planning consent for office use, fire certificate, employers liability insurance, and that sub-letting of the premises was permitted.

December 15th
Unspecified response got from Mike Natrass.

December 16th
Derek Clark was at Head Office together with Michael Harvey, and staff, plus volunteers, as the Scottish EU election ballot count was taking place.
The Office was very busy that day. Michael Harvey told, Derek Clark, that he's not prepared to co-operate with the move until satisfactory assurances were received, and, nor was he happy to give Derek Clark a set of keys (Mr Clark had never before asked for a set of keys). Derek Clark left in a huff about 4pm and was expected to return on either December 18 or 19.

Staff leave Head Office between 6pm & 8pm. There was a meeting of the London Region Finance Committee during that evening, held on the premises.
Michael Harvey was the last to leave the building at 11.30pm.

Just before midnight, Chris Browne was telephoned by John Moran - General Manager for Nigel Farages' Ashford tele sales operation - that he (Chris Browne) may be needed to go to Head Office soon. At 1am John Moran telephoned again to say that Derek Clark had gained entry, changed the lock on the front door, and the combination lock to the inner door. Chris Browne was telephoned again, this time by Alan Bown, the financier for the Ashford tele sales operation, who asked if Chris would go to Head Office to, "man
the shop".

December 17th
At 8.15am the first two staff arrive but the door is, locked (new lock),
At 8.30am Miss Antoine arrived and was, also, unable to open the door.
At 8.45am Chris Browne arrives.
At 9.05am the door is opened by Derek Clark. Miss Antoine is physically repelled, before being allowed to wait in the hall for the Police to arrive.
At 9.10am approx. the Police arrive, and staff are subsequently allowed into the office to remove a few personal items, witnessed by police officers. At 9.35am the three ladies (staff) we escorted from the building by police officers.

Telephone calls to Head Office later that morning were told that the Office had been permanently closed.

Note: This account is clearly at odds with the story given to the Financial Times. The account also shows, that all of those who actively took part in the lock-out, were also very closely allied to, Nigel Farage!
Unquote

The FT version of events firsted posted last Saturday can be read by scrolling down this page or by clicking here.

posted by Martin |7:07 AM