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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Oliver Milne

UKIP politician snaps in BBC interview as he's grilled on ‘sexist’ video

A Welsh UKIP politician has snapped on air after being asked questions about a video which saw him suspended from his job for a week without pay.

Welsh Assembly member Gareth Bennett was asked about the video during an segment on the upcoming Brecon & Radnoshire by-election.

The UKIP politician was quizzed about his decisions to post a video of a barmaid wearing a low-cut top with a Labour AM's head superimposed on it.

The video about Labour's Joyce Watson was posted on YouTube - and saw the him banned from the assembly without pay for a week.

He has also failed to apologise.

The video, since taken down, saw Mr Bennett comment that while Ms Watson used to run a pub "you wouldn't guess that from looking at her".

He added: "She doesn't look like the life and soul of the party. I'm not sure I would fancy popping in for a quick one at the local if I saw her pulling pints at the bar."

Challenged during his appearance on the Radio 4's Today programme Mr Bennett said once again doubled down on his refusal to say sorry.

Asked about the video, and wider incidents of incivility by UKIP politicians, he said: "Well, indeed this kind of incidents do happen in politics, although why that is relevant to this by-election in which I am not the candidate.

Asked if he would apologise he said: "No I certainly won't, I don't do that type of thing.

He added: "I've been censured I've taken my punishment and that is the matter closed as far as I am concerned.

Asked about the condemnation of the video from former UKIP members he said: "Fantastic let's waste the rest of this interview."

"Nobody gives a damn about some silly film I did."

Mr Bennett recently withdrew from the race to replace Gerard Batten as UKIP leader.

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