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The Brexit Party says it has received “milkshake threats” ahead of a meeting planned for Margate.

The meeting, from 7pm tomorrow (October 25), will see six Brexit Party candidates from across east Kent speak about what they would campaign for in a general election.

In response, Rob Yates, Labour councillor for Margate Central, has organised a “singing protest” outside the hotel to showcase everyone is welcome in the town.

But one of Thanet’s Brexit Party candidates says they should be welcomed too.

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John Fitzpatrick, the North Thanet candidate, has called for unity amongst the Brexit Party and protesters.

In an open letter to Cllr Yates, he said: “It seems odd that those who profess to welcome everybody to Margate should not want to welcome prospective parliamentary candidates not only from Margate itself, but from Herne Bay, Canterbury, Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Gillingham and Rainham, and Ashford.

“Are we too foreign or too unfashionable for your idea of Margate?

“One of the candidates has, in connection with the meeting, received ‘milkshake’ threats. Other opponents have expressly suggested the meeting be cancelled.

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“Many of those attending the meeting have spent their lives fighting for social justice, and providing legal advice and representation to immigrants and refugees.

“As trade unionists or in political parties they have opposed unjust immigration and asylum laws, organised anti-deportation campaigns, and have fought actual racism and many other forms of unlawful discrimination.

“I understand the choir welcomes all comers - I know many people at the Brexit Party meeting would gladly join in a singing welcome to people from all over the world.

“You do not care more about these matters than we do. I will assume you care just as much.

“Let us proceed on that basis, and show together that Margate can provide a good example to this increasingly fractured country as to how political differences might be conducted.”