THE FATHER of Witham MP, Priti Patel, has caused a stir by announcing himself as a Ukip candidate, then declared he was quitting and then changed his mind again.
Sushil Patel, whose daughter is a prominent member of the Conservative Party, was announced as a candidate by Ukip leader Nigel Farage during a rally in David Miliband's former South Shields constituency, ahead of a by-election there on April 25.
After a number of phone calls Mr Patel, 64, standing for the Bushey South division in Hertfordshire, announced he had decided to not stand for the party.
But Ukip officials then told Mr Patel that it was too late for him to withdraw from the election or amend the ballot paper.
Ukip released a statement insisting that Mr Patel remained its candidate and stating he was "convalescing from a recent serious operation and is unable to conduct any further interviews".
It quoted the MP's father as saying: "I am proud of being a Ukip candidate and very proud of the achievements of my daughter who represents the people of Witham in an exemplary fashion.
"My views are my own and I am astonished that there has been quite so much interest in my candidacy".
Sushil Patel, whose daughter is a prominent member of the Conservative Party, was announced as a candidate by Ukip leader Nigel Farage during a rally in David Miliband's former South Shields constituency, ahead of a by-election there on April 25.
After a number of phone calls Mr Patel, 64, standing for the Bushey South division in Hertfordshire, announced he had decided to not stand for the party.
But Ukip officials then told Mr Patel that it was too late for him to withdraw from the election or amend the ballot paper.
Ukip released a statement insisting that Mr Patel remained its candidate and stating he was "convalescing from a recent serious operation and is unable to conduct any further interviews".
It quoted the MP's father as saying: "I am proud of being a Ukip candidate and very proud of the achievements of my daughter who represents the people of Witham in an exemplary fashion.
"My views are my own and I am astonished that there has been quite so much interest in my candidacy".
