A COUNCILLOR who was forced out of Ukip after he was taped referring to gay people as pooftahs and an Oriental woman as a Chinky has thrown his hat back in the ring to be South Basildon’s next MP.

Kerry Smith resigned as candidate for the party for South Basildon and East Thurrock last month just days after being selected after the recording was leaked to the media.

He later resigned from the party, but today will announce he intends standing in the general election as an independent.

He said: “For the first few days I laid low, but someone said why don’t I do it. In the run-up to Christmas I did some vox pops and people told me to give them hell – even some Ukip members said they would leaflet for me. I am paying for it out of my own pocket, so think I have a chance.”