UK Edition
Former Ukip chairman sues party over cream crackers in unpaid expenses row
A former Ukip local chairman is suing the party over cream crackers in a row about unpaid expenses.
Christopher Spalding is taking legal action against his local party "out of principle" - claiming it owes him £93.20 in unpaid expenses including cheese crackers and biscuits.
He has refused to accept an offer of £70 from the UKIP Rochester and Strood constituency branch in Kent. The cheque was posted to Mr Spalding, who last month resigned from the party.
He said: "I'm going to continue because I want payment of all of it. The moment I accept it I won't get the full amount.
"There are court fees and legal costs, so nothing has changed as far as I'm concerned."
The Army reservist said the organisation initially refused to reimburse him the cost of a Remembrance Day wreath, raffle prizes for an EU referendum celebration, and the printing of Medway Council documents.
Some expenses being claimed for include raffle prizes for a branch fundraiser celebrating the EU referendum vote.
With a "Christmas has come early" theme, gifts included cream crackers - as the usual festive fare was not available at the time of year - champagne, and traditional pudding.
Mr Spalding was previously told by Cllr Roy Freshwater - current constituency chairman - that the expenses cannot be paid back as they were not "appropriately authorised", meaning the claim could not be "properly reimbursed".
He said: "I am completely gobsmacked, particularly as it was the poppy wreath laid at the Chatham war memorial by Cllr Roy Freshwater himself.
"The Chatham and Aylesford Ukip constituency had some difficulties at the time, so I stepped in to make sure the party was represented, asking Cllr Freshwater to attend the event."
Cllr Freshwater insists the claims had been reviewed by senior branch officers on two separate occasions, and deemed to be "not appropriate" both times.
However, Ukip Rochester and Strood has now decided to send a cheque of "around £70".
He said: "We have sent him a cheque to cover all those expenses - I notified him on Tuesday.
"We have managed to come to a conclusion that we were satisfied with the expenses.
"I wasn't surprised he brought this forward - he wants the publicity. I'm sure the matter is not over."