Corbett attacks Bloom's "carefully calculated outrage"
Labour MEP Richard Corbett has reacted with anger to UKIP maverick Godfrey Bloom's latest revelation - and challenged UKIP's leadership to make their position clear.
Bloom's startling admission - that he endorses prostitution and has regularly visited brothers - provoked a media frenzy in both Yorkshire and Brussels.
But Richard Corbett, deputy leader of the Labour MEPs, responded:
"This is yet another cynical attempt by Mr Bloom to grab the limelight for all the wrong reasons.
"He knows full well that he will never get any press attention for doing constructive work in the European Parliament - because he doesn't do any.
"Instead, he makes up for it by making such outrageous assertions that he guarantees himself front-page coverage."
Mr Bloom's strategy is clear, added Richard.
"90% of people find his views repulsive, and he knows it.
"But there will always be a few people who will be fooled by his 'rebellious' self-image - or amused by his loud and offensive opinions. And he is counting on those few people for re-election."
Richard challenged UKIP leaders Roger Knapman and Nigel Farage to distance themselves from Mr Bloom's comments:
"Are we to take these new revelations as UKIP party policy? Without any hint of a rebuttal from UKIP's leadership, it is hard to conclude otherwise.
"I challenge UKIP's leaders to make their position clear and take appropriate action against Mr Bloom."
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