Ukip Candidate John Bickley Sparks Fury With Charlie Hebdo Tweet

After Charlie Hebdo, Is It 'Time For Ukip'? This Candidate Thinks So
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HEYWOOD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: UKIP candidate John Bickley reacts after finishing second in the Heywood and Middleton By-Election at the Heywood Sports Centre on October 9, 2014 in Heywood, England. Polls have closed in the by-election which is being held after the death of sitting Labour party Member of Parliament Jim Dobbin (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Nigel Roddis via Getty Images

One of Ukip's most prominent candidates has caused a social media stir by suggesting that the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack means that it is "time for Ukip" to come to the fore.

John Bickley, who is standing in Heywood and Middleton, quoted George Orwell to show his and his party's stance on "democracy", "free speech" and "liberty", adding: "Time to take a stance. Time for Ukip."

The Charlie Hebdo massacre, which resulted in 12 deaths, shook the French nation and drew sympathy worldwide, as people physicially and virtually put on displays of solidarity.

Bickley's tweet sparked a furious backlash online as Twitter users, with one noting: "Ukip also seem fond of resorting to bullying their critics."

However, Bickley appeared to be unshaken by the negative reaction to his tweet, telling one user: "It's called free speech, get used to it."

Bickley is no stranger to controversy, having accused Labour of facilitating the child abuse scandal due to their "love of immigration."

This comes after Ukip leader Nigel Farage was accused of 'politicising the Charlie Hebdo attack', after he lashed out against the "fifth column" of people - immgrants who "hold our passports, who hate us".

Meanwhile, David Davies, a Tory MP, was accused “legal illiteracy” and not understanding "what it means to live in a liberal democracy" after using the Charlie Hedbo terrorist attack to promote his party’s election pledge to abolish the Human Rights Act.

Writing on his website, Davies argued that “under current laws, including the Human Rights Act, anyone can come to the UK and make a claim for asylum.”

The MP for Monmouth in South Wales said: “The tragic terrorist attacks in Paris should be a wake up call.

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