Mike Read's Ukip Calypso misses out on Top 40 place

Rapper Professor Green has told ITV News the release of the 'Ukip Calypso' song shows the anti-EU party are "even bigger morons than people perhaps first thought".

Speaking at the Mobo Awards, Green admitted he had not heard the controversial single but told Vincent McAviney the statement of apology issued by its creator - former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read - showed it represented "absolute disrespect" for refugees and immigrants.

• Read: Mike Read defends Caribbean accent on 'Ukip Calypso'

Ukip have accused the British Red Cross of putting "politics over saving people's lives" after the charity rejected its offer of profits from the sale of the controversial 'Ukip Calypso' single.

A statement issued by the party said:

• Read: Ukip express regret at Mike Read's Ukip Calypso U-turn

The British Red Cross has said it will refuse a share of any profits from sales of the controversial 'Ukip calypso' as the song attacks refugees and asylum seekers.

The anti-EU party said it would donate a cut of the song's proceeds to the charity's Ebola fund. But a statement issued by the charity said:

'Ukip Calypso' is currently sitting at number 21 in the midweek charts despite its creator, former Radio 1 star Mike Read, asking his record company to withdraw it after apologising for "unintentionally causing offence".

• Read: Mike Read defends Caribbean accent on 'Ukip calypso'

The UK Independence Party's culture spokesman has expressed regret that former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read has withdrawn his Ukip Calypso record.

Peter Whittle said he did not believe anyone was offended by the song - which featured Read singing in a mock Caribbean accent - adding that it was "unfortunate" that Read had asked his record company to stop selling the record.

"There are professional offence takers and those people this time have won the day," Whittle told ITV News.

Ukip have hit out after Mike Read withdrew his 'Ukip Calypso' song from sale.

A party spokesman said the DJ had been the victim of the "'right on' media" and the song was "just a bit of fun".

Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read today apologised for "unintentionally causing offence" with his Ukip Calypso, sung with a mock Caribbean accent, adding that he has asked his record company to withdraw the song from sale.

Read defended the song as "political satire" after a Twitter user accused him of racism yesterday.

Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read has defended his Jamaican accent on his 'Ukip Calypso', insisting the song is "simply a bit of fun".

"Apologies of course if anyone has taken offence, but I have worked and sung in Jamaica for the tourist board and often have fun with the guys out there doing the accent," Read said.

The track has had mixed reactions, with one Amazon reviewer calling it "the musical equivalent of the Ebola virus", while another called it "brilliant and so true".

Ukip leader Nigel Farage also tweeted urging supporters to buy the single, which is 50-1 with Paddy Power to chart at number 1.