Ukip suspends entire party branch during mystery investigation

UKIP candidate for Croydon Winston McKenzie pictured in May when the party leader failed to attend an event. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Ukip has suspended one of its branches, including a senior figure in the party, during an investigation but have refused to comment on what they will investigate.

Winston McKenzie, the party's Commonwealth spokesman, has been stripped of the local role as chairman of the Lambeth and North Croydon branch, a spokesman said, along with the rest of the branch.

Ukip declined to say what the investigation will look into or why it was launched but the suspension comes after a letter of no confidence in Mr McKenzie was backed by a number of members, according to the Croydon Advertiser.

Mr McKenzie has regularly hit the headlines for his outspoken views, including describing placing children for adoption with same-sex couples as "unhealthy" and "tantamount to child abuse."

During a Ukip carnival held in Croydon earlier this year that quickly descended into chaos, he described the area as "unsafe and a dump."

During his political career he has been a member of Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the now defunct Veritas party as well founding his own group, the Unity Party.