An MEP who represents Brighton and Hove has apologised after describing a Thai constituent as “a Ting Tong from somewhere”.
Janice Atkinson, a UK Independence Party (UKIP) MEP for South East England, made the comment during a BBC South East interview recorded on Friday.
The remark, using the name of the mail order Thai bride in the BBC comedy Little Britain, was used to describe Fa Munday.
Her husband Vincent, a UKIP supporter, said that it was outrageous, rude and offensive. The term apparently means mad.
The BBC quoted Mrs Atkinson, 51, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate, as saying: “I deeply regret the words I used and am incredibly sorry.
“It was poor judgment and naivety on my part rather than words spoken with any malice.
“I am devastated that I have caused hurt and apologise profusely to both Mr and Mrs Munday.”
Earlier this year she told a public meeting in Portslade that she was not racist and used to go on Anti Nazi League marches.
Mrs Munday, a party supporter who had previously met Mrs Atkinson at UKIP events, was quoted by the BBC as saying: “I’m from Thailand. I’m married to an Englishman and now I’m British.
“No one has ever spoken about me like that before.”
