View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
September 30, 2013updated 01 Oct 2013 1:07pm

UKIP spin doctor describes Standard journalist as ‘of some sort of ethnic extraction’

By Darren Boyle

A UKIP spin doctor described an Evening Standard journalist as being “of some form of ethnic extraction” in a text message sent to the wrong person.

Gawain Towler, who is the party’s head of media and planning to run for the European Parliament, was discussing the Evening Standard’s Kiran Randhawa with a colleague when the rogue message ended in the wrong location.

Ms Randhawa has been with the Evening Standard for almost a decade.

Journalist Nick Sutton tweeted a screen grab of the text and it soon was retweeted more than 150 times.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The text stated: “James, my fault but I told the Standard that Nigel would be arriving at approx 10.30 this morning. They have called and I expect a snapper and a female journalist (of some form of ethnic extraction) at Piccadilly. Am sorry. Possible more than one snapper as they hunt in packs.”

Speaking to The Times following the embarrassing gaffe, Towler said: “If I’d got the right name I would have used it but I didn’t so I needed to give a head up. . . I was thinking of using the term ‘babe’ but they aren’t going to have the first idea what I’m going on about.”

This follows the resignation from the party of former MEP Geoffrey Bloom, who while addressing a meeting to increase the number of women in politics, said: “This place is full of sluts.”

 

 

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network