Green activists rip off UKIP advertisements

It was apparently an opportunity Caroline Lucas's more juvenile supporters could not resist.

[youtube https://youtu.be/7HFyKTR2UzQ]

In the heart of Brighton Pavilion - where Caroline Lucas is seeking re-election as the country's one and only Green MP - it was apparently an opportunity some of her more enthusiastic and more juvenile supporters could not resist.

On the reception desk in the entrance to Sussex Heights, the tallest residential building on the south coast, was the regular delivery of Brighton and Hove Independent, the city's favourite weekly newspaper.

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There was, however, something that did not find favour with a trio of visitors, including one who appears to be wearing a Green Party badge. They are thought to be Green activists down from London - and among 40 or so who had earlier picked up leaflets from an apartment occupied by a local party member.

What had caught their eye? The front-page advert for UKIP.

So upset were they that they really let rip.

Quickly and neatly, they tore out every single one of the UKIP advertisements. One suggested they could come in handy as toilet paper; another said she was not so fracking desperate.

It sounded like fracking, anyway.

So proud were they of their actions that the two young women took photographs of the carefully-arranged mess.

Unfortunately, they did not realise that they, too, were being filmed.

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After we showed the video to some of Ms Lucas's closest advisers, the party's response was unequivocal: "We know that passion is important in politics. But however strongly we oppose the policies and rhetoric of UKIP, we will condemn any attempt to prevent them from having their fair say in this election.

"Opposition is crucial to democracy, and something we have consistently championed. If these campaigners are connected to the Green Party, we apologise, as their actions in no way reflect its values or position.'

Kevin Smith, UKIP's parliamentary candidate for Hove, described the incident as "absolutely disgraceful".

He said: "This is yet another attack on UKIP election material, of the sort that is a common occurrence. Only this time the culprits have been caught red-handed.

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"All the other parties - not just the Greens - are desperate and don't want to discuss UKIP. They like to portray us as undemocratic and racist. Which are complete lies."

Clarence Mitchell, the Conservative Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion said: "This just confirms the very ugly, anti-democratic depths to which Green activists will often stoop in continuing to inflict their political vandalism on Brighton.

"They are far from the idealistic, peace loving environmentalists that many still fondly imagine them to be."