Post ban man to be UKIP candidate

Mr Kumarasiri says saving the pound is one of his priorities

A postmaster who refused to serve customers unless they spoke English is set to stand for election as a Euro MP for the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

Sri Lankan-born Deva Kumarasiri told customers at his Nottingham post office they had to speak the language so he could understand them.

But he was forced to leave his job after going public with his demand.

Mr Kumarasiri has now revealed his ambitions for a political career after meeting UKIP leader Nigel Farage.

The 40-year-old father-of-two said: "Nigel got in touch and invited me to London for a chat and we very quickly found that we had lots in common.

This may be his first blooding in national politics but he has struck a chord with many people in this country and is a guy who is going places Nigel Farage UKIP leader

"I had no hesitation in joining UKIP and agreeing to stand for them in the Euro elections, because I want to get elected and speak up for Britain.

"There are only nine weeks before voting, so there's a lot of work to be done.

"My priorities will be to save the pound and push for British jobs for British workers.

"I'll campaign for newcomers to Britain to learn English and seek to persuade them that integration is absolutely vital to the country's future."

Mr Kumarasiri, who claims he was expelled from the Liberal Democrats because of his post office stance, said friends and family had been widely supportive of his joining UKIP.

Mr Farage said his new East Midlands candidate for the European elections on 4 June had "passion, belief and patriotism".

He added: "This may be his first blooding in national politics but he has struck a chord with many people in this country and is a guy who is going places."