Ukip asks police to investigate the BBC over Have I Got News for You

Ukip leader Nigel Farage was criticised by journalist Camilla Long. Credit: Anwar Hussein/EMPICS Entertainment

Ukip has asked the police to investigate the BBC, claiming that comments made about Nigel Farage during an episode of Have I Got News For You might hinder his chances of electoral success.

ITV News has learned that officials complained about an episode of the satirical programme broadcast last Friday.

Journalist Camilla Long, who was appearing as a panellist on the programme, was defending an article she had written criticising South Thanet, the constituency in Kent in which Farage is standing.

"I went there more than Nigel Farage" she said. "By the time I arrived there he'd only been a few times."

Ukip's advisors claimed the comments were inaccurate and that their broadcast by the BBC breached the Representation of the People Act.

Tonight Kent Police said it had decided not to open an investigation.

"The matter has been reviewed by officers but there’s no evidence of any offences and there will be no further action" a spokesperson told ITV News.

A Ukip official said they planned to pursue the matter with officers from Scotland Yard, adding the party is "now at war with the BBC".

A BBC spokesperson said: