Proceeds from song branded racist goes to unnamed charity
Proceeds from a controversial song released by Ukip, and subsequently branded racist, have gone to an unnamed charity.
The UK Independence Party says it has donated the money it received from the Ukip Calypso song to the unnamed charity after the British Red Cross turned it down.
Originally money raised by the song, penned and performed by former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read, was to help in the fight against Ebola.
However the international aid charity turned Ukip’s offer down saying: “As a neutral organisation, we cannot benefit from something which overtly supports one political party.
"In addition, the Red Cross has a proud history of helping refugees and asylum seekers who are negatively referred to in the lyrics.”
Dan Corry, chief executive of the think tank New Philanthropy Capital, criticised the party for not naming the charity that had taken the money.
“The idea that any charity can accept a donation raised like this but remain anonymous is very troubling,” he said. “The money was originally raised on the promise that it would fight the Ebola outbreak—but now no one will confirm whether this promise to donors has been honoured or not.
“This is against the principles of transparency. Political parties have every right to give cash to charities, but it can’t take place behind some veil of secrecy.”
Sung in a mock Caribbean accent the song contained lyrics many deemed offensive, such as: "Our leaders committed a cardinal sin/Open the borders let them all come in/Illegal immigrants in every town/Stand up and be counted Blair and Brown."
