Statement from Mike Hookem

My name is one of those which was included in a letter sent to UKIP members by Godfrey Bloom as his prefered choice of NEC candidates.

I did not ask him to do this I also received this letter which I thought was a bit naughty but I have every confidence that the members of UKIP becoming members of this party have shown they are free thinkers and can make up their own minds and will not be coerced by party leaders.

I believe in a free and transparent election of NEC members and our next party leader election.

Regards
Mike Hookem

I haven't seen the letter in question but by all accounts it's pretty explicit in support of certain candidates in the NEC election which has led to complaints from some members about Bloom using his position to unduly influence the result.