Express & Star

UKIP Candidate backs Hitler row MEP

The UKIP candidate trying to become the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has backed the MEP at the centre of a row after using Adolf Hitler as an example during a seminar on public speaking.

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Keith Rowe said Bill Etheridge could have used 'other examples' that would not have courted controversy during a session on speaking at the Young Independence conference in Birmingham.

Should Bill Etheridge be sacked for his comments? Do you think he's damaged UKIP with his comments? Leave your comments below.

But he supported the West Midlands MEP and Sedgley councillor and said: "Bill made it clear he was talking about his speaking technique.

"Hitler was a monster who pushed a vile agenda, but he managed to convince a lot of people."

Mr Rowe was speaking at the launch of his campaign for next week's PCC by-election.

The election on August 21 was triggered by the death of Labour PCC Bob Jones.

How far can people take freedom of speech? Should we be able to say anything we like, or should there be restrictions? Leave your comments below.

Mr Rowe said he was campaigning for 'zero tolerance' for all criminal behaviour and an emphasis on punishing criminals 'not just issuing incident numbers and 'punishing' motorists.

Other candidates are Labour's David Jamieson, Conservative councillor Les Jones and barrister Ayoub Khan for the liberal Democrats.

See also: West Midlands Ukip MEP in 'Hitler advice' row.

See also: I need to be more mature says Hitler row MEP.

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