Ukip leadership favourite Paul Nuttall says he would hold referendum on bringing back death penalty for child killers
He said if 'enough people' signed a petition he would give the public their say on reintroducing capital punishment
THE FAVOURITE to replace Nigel Farage as Ukip leader has said he would have a referendum on bringing back the death penalty.
Paul Nuttall told Sky News if “enough people” signed a petition then he would give the public their say on the reintroduction of capital punishment, more than 50 years after it was abolished.
He said his own belief was that a death sentence is the right course of action for “killers of children, people like Ian Huntley and Ian Brady”.
Speaking to Dermot Murnaghan yesterday, the MEP said the party he hopes to lead believes in “direct democracy”, so would be happy for a referendum to take place.
Mr Nuttall, who is squaring off against Suzanne Evans to be elected Ukip boss, also said he wanted to reduce the abortion cut-off to just 12 weeks as he laid out his policy platform.
Asked about his whether he would have a referendum on it if given the opportunity, the ex-deputy leader of Ukip said: “Well that would be for the British people to decide.
“We would open all of this kind of thing up because we believe in direct democracy, we believe in referenda and we believe in following the people.”
Mr Murnaghan added: “And you’d have one on capital punishment?”
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He replied: “If enough people decided that that was required then so be it”
Mr Nuttall was asked again: “But at some time you want to bring it back?”
He explained: “In terms of capital punishment I’ve been quite open that I believe in capital punishment for the killers of children, people like Ian Huntley and Ian Brady and what not, which is what the majority of the British people think.”
The last people to be executed in the UK were Peter Anthony Allen and Gwynne Owen Evans on August 13, 1964, for the murder of John Alan West earlier that year.
It comes as nomination closed in the leadership contest triggered after the shock resignation of Diane James after just 18 days at the helm.
Ukip confirmed four candidates will battle it out after Raheem Kassam, a former aide to Nigel Farage, quit the race hours before the cut-off.
Mr Nuttall and Ms Evans, the ex-deputy party chairman, are joined by London Assembly member Peter Whittle and John Rees-Evans, most famous for once claiming his horse was raped by a gay donkey.
Mr Kassam announced he was pulling out of the contest because "the path to victory is too narrow", but he had come under fire for social media posts attacking his rivals and other politicians.
Party chairman Paul Oakden said: "I'm pleased to confirm that there were no late, or rejected applications.
"Further information pertaining to the ballot will follow at a later date but for now, I'd like to wish all four candidates the best of luck and will join with our party's members in looking forward to a positive contest."
The result will be announced on November 28.