The UK Independence Party (UKIP) has been forced to cancel its Freepost address after far-left activists sent human waste, blood and various bulky items at a cost to the eurosceptic party. The address, which does not require a stamp, was set up so that voters could send the party queries without having to pay postage.
However, the arrangement means that the party picks up the tab for any mail it receives, leading to opponents sending it bulky, heavy items, forcing it to pay the high postage costs. Last week, a bomb disposal team was called in to deal with two suspicious packages that contained human faeces.
Some opponents also decided to use the address to return the party’s literature, with another sending eight litres of water (271 fl oz).
Most of the packages were intercepted by mail staff before they arrived at the party. Bexley UKIP tweeted a photo of a Royal Mail receipt which said they were cancelling the service. The receipt said: “You may be aware that there have been incidents of inappropriate mail items being sent to a UKIP Freepost address.
“This includes items which are prohibited [such as blood/human faces] and present a health and safety risk both to you and our Royal Mail Colleagues.”
What kind of person sends faeces or blood to a political party? Are people OK?Confirmed, no more #UKIPfreepost pic.twitter.com/CUzOBrIzmC
— UKIP Bexley (@UKIPBexley) May 3, 2014
This weekend, UKIP took first place in another poll for the European Elections. The YouGov poll for the Sunday Times gave the party an eight-point lead among those certain to vote.
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