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Election candidate 'a risk to public order'

Exeter Cathedral have barred Carl Benjamin from a debate next week

Exeter Cathedral have banned a controversial election candidate from attending a public debate next week.

UKIP Devon's chairwoman, Margaret Dennis, described the decision to exclude Carl Benjamin as 'outrageous' and 'an affront to democracy'.

She said: “It is outrageous that Exeter Cathedral has taken the decision to ban a candidate chosen by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) to represent us at the European Elections. The hustings are either open for the public to discuss and debate or it is an attempt to censor and restrict an opportunity to hear a range of views at this election. 

“Carl Benjamin is the second candidate on our MEP list and the only one available to take part in this important event on the eve of the election. He has been misrepresented in the media and is an articulate and intelligent advocate not only for our Party but for free speech.

An Exeter Cathedral spokesperson said that Mr Benjamin, who is currently being investigated for rape comments made about an MP, “may cause a risk to public order”.

“Under the rules of the Electoral Commission we may exclude candidates from a non-selective hustings for a number of reasons, including concerns about public order. In this case, the Cathedral believes that the presence of one particular candidate may cause a risk to public order, given a number of incidents over the last few weeks,” they said.

The spokesperson added: “UKIP has been invited to send another candidate from its list of six candidates standing for election in the South West region."

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