THE new UK Independence Party (UKIP) parliamentary candidate for Wantage and Didcot says the UK is “built on immigration”, but he still wants to tighten border controls.

Lee Upcraft, pictured, a physicist from Wallingford who works in the defence industry, says his party is getting rid of “frankly offensive” members.

Dr Upcraft, 38, who lives in Clapcot Way, Wallingford, with his wife and two daughters, said: “I’m not concerned about UKIP’s reputation. I don’t believe there is any party that doesn’t have its less-pleasant figures.”

He added: “This country was built on immigration, but not uncontrolled immigration of economic migrants.”

Calling for tighter controls, he said: “I think our government has no choice in the matter because of the EU open borders policy.”