Ukip leader Paul Nuttall says he is like civil rights campaigner Gandhi because his party are so ‘ahead of our time’ on issues like the EU and immigration
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India during the 1940s
UKIP'S Paul Nutall has compared himself to civil rights campaigner Gandhi - because his party are so "ahead of our time" on key issues.
The leader - who this week outlined some of the party's key election policies - said it was Ukip who were ahead of the curve on topics like the EU and mass immigration.
"Raising issues of equality, women’s rights, and FGM are the issues other parties don’t want to tackle.
"It is a bit like the Gandhi thing - 'first they laugh at you, then they attack you, and then you win'.
"Unfortunately on this issue we seem be on the laughing or the mocking phase which I think is wrong as I feel the issues we raised were so important."
However, the phrase in question has not been proven to have been said by the civil rights leader.
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India during the 1940s.
He was the architect of a form of non-violent civil protest - but was assassinated aged 78.
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Today Mr Nuttall hit out at critics who "sniggered" at his party's policies - which would include a ban on the burka and school checks on girls vulnerable to FGM.
He said that Ukip would "lead on these" issues no matter what criticism they got.
The party launched its integration agenda which also stated it would block the opening of any new Muslim schools - and would shut down Sharia courts.
But just hours later their Foreign Affairs spokesman QUIT over their new policies.
James Carver said that "no one has the right to dictate what people should wear" and the policy would alienate him from support in the West Midlands, where he is an MEP.
The troubled party chief dropped a huge hint that he might try swerve fighting constituency at June’s snap poll.
Probed by the Sun at his party’s first policy launch in central London Mr Nuttall hit out: “Ukip leaders have done pretty well before not being MPs”.
But former leader Nigel Farage, and party donor Arron Banks have both ruled themselves out of the June race.
In the same interview with the Express and Star, the Ukip leader also said he would not stand Ukip candidates in areas where there were key Brexiteers.
And said the party was not suffering as a result of his leadership - despite losing the Stoke Central by-election in February.