Ukip has been hit by an eve-of-election racism row and forced to suspend a candidate who threatened to shoot his rival at a meeting in Kent.

The suspension of Robert Blay, Ukip's candidate in North East Hampshire, came after the Daily Mirror published footage recorded at the Ukip meeting in Ramsgate at the weekend.

The film shows Mr Blay saying he would shoot Conservative Ranil Jayawardena if he became Prime Minister.

Mr Blay was recorded saying: "If he is I will personally put a bullet between his eyes. If this lad turns up to be our Prime Minister I will personally put a bullet in him.

"That's how strong I feel about it. I won't have this f***** as our Prime Minister. I absolutely loathe him."

Ukip said it had immediately suspended Mr Blay, a former Conservative member, and described the comments as abhorrent.

The row is an unwelcome distraction for Ukip and party leader Nigel Farage, who is battling for the South Thanet seat.

He is due to spend the last 24 hours campaigning in the constituency and is expected to round up the campaign with a rally tonight.

Polls put the fight for the constituency neck and neck, with Ukip, the Conservatives and Labour all in contention.

Meanwhile, Ukip candidate for Rochester and Strood Mark Reckless has predicted that the party could win up to five seats in Thursday's poll.

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