> UKIP Bigot Says Business Should Be Able To Refuse To Serve Women Or Gays

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A UKIP councillor has said businesses should be able to refuse services to women and gay people, in comments posted on an internet forum.

The Argus reported the remarks made by Lewes councillor Donna Edmunds.

She posted her views after being asked whether she supported Henley-on-Thames UKIP councillor David Silvester, who said the government's support for gay marriage had caused the recent floods.

Ms Edmunds defended her comments as "an essentially libertarian stance".

However, she later issued a statement saying she regretted the remarks.

On the forum, Ms Edmunds said she did not agree with Mr Silvester, who has been expelled by UKIP, but said business owners should be allowed to refuse services to anyone they wanted for any reason.

When The Argus asked her to clarify her statement, Ms Edmunds said it would be OK for a shop owner to refuse her based on no other fact than she was a woman, or if service was refused to a gay person.