Nigel Farage was locked in a bitter war of words with the Conservatives last night over the credibility of a defector with links to a convicted kidnapper. The anti-EU party had been left licking its wounds on Saturday night when Ukip MEP Amjad Bashir announced he was leaving for the Tories. But Mr Farage hit back yesterday, saying Mr Bashir had already been facing suspension over a string of issues, including claims that he had links to a man jailed for his involvement in a kidnap plot in Pakistan and alleged expenses irregularities. Ukip MEP Amjad Bashir announced over the weekend he was leaving for the Tories, prompting the party's leader Nigel Farage (left) to hit back, saying Mr Bashir (right) had been facing suspension over several issues
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MEP Amjad Bashir said 'Ukip is pointless' before defecting to Tory party
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He said Ukip was 'pretty amateur' and had a 'ridiculous' lack of policies
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Nigel Farage has hit back saying Mr Bashir had been facing suspension
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Said he was ‘genuinely surprised’ Conservatives had accepted Mr Bashir
Three days later, Mr Bashir confirmed to his Tory contacts that he was prepared to jump ship from @placeholder.