Ukip launches General Election manifesto and claims Theresa May "must bear some responsibility" for Manchester bombing

Ukip put the response to the Manchester terrorist atrocity at the centre of its General Election manifesto launch, promising measures to cut down on immigration and tighten security.
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall at today's party manifesto launch.Ukip leader Paul Nuttall at today's party manifesto launch.
Ukip leader Paul Nuttall at today's party manifesto launch.

Party leader Paul Nuttall called Islamic fundamentalism "one of the major issues" facing politicians in the coming years and said it was "not the British way to turn a blind eye to this evil

in our midst".

The launch marked Ukip's return to campaigning for the June 8 poll following the Manchester Arena suicide bombing on Monday night.

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Other parties resumed local campaigns following the minute's silence to mark the tragedy although major national events will not restart until Friday.

Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on the Manchester attack before flying to Brussels for a Nato summit, while Labour leader Jeremy

Corbyn observed the minute's silence alongside firefighters in his constituency in Islington, north London.

In a sign that Ukip believes there is a political advantage to be found in taking a tough stance over the Manchester attack, the party's deputy chairwoman, Suzanne Evans, tore into Mrs

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May's record on tackling terrorism and said she "must bear some responsibility" for the bombing which killed 22.

"Theresa May might like to portray herself as a strong and stable leader who can tackle extremism, but her record suggests otherwise," said Ms Evans.

"Theresa May has allowed jihadists who fought alongside Islamic State back into our country.

"She has failed to prevent extremists spreading hatred in our universities and our mosques."

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Mr Nuttall insisted he was "absolutely not" blaming the Prime Minister for the attack but she had an "appalling" record during her time as home secretary.

Ukip's policy pitch pledged to fund 20,000 extra troops and police officers, as well as 7,000 extra prison officers.

It restated the previously announced plan to ban face coverings such as the burka and impose a "one in, one out" system to curb net migration to zero.

The party also promised:

* An extra £11 billion a year for the NHS and social care by the end of the next parliament, funded by cuts in foreign aid;

* Not to raise taxes;

* To scrap VAT on takeaways;

* To abolish the House of Lords.