The highest-ranked British Asian member of the UK Independence Party has switched to the Conservative party. Pakistani-origin Mr Amjad Bashir is a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing Yorkshire and Humber constituencies in northern England.
He had been the UKIP's Communities Spokesman and appeared regularly with party leader Nigel Farage.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "absolutely delighted" with Mr Bashir's decision.
A spokesman for UKIP reportedly said that the allegations against Mr Bashir included claims of interfering in the candidate selection process as well as unanswered financial and employment questions. The spokesman had also added that evidence against Mr Bashir would be been handed over to police.
Speaking after his defection, Mr Bashir told the Telegraph that UKIP was "delusional" about the up-coming general election and described the party's policies as "ridiculous". He also refuted all allegations against him. The Telegraph reported that back in the 1970's was a member of the Labour Party. He then defected for a year or so to the Conservatives, but, unable to find what he wanted, he then defected again to join UKIP.
