A UKIP European election billboard is displayed in the Vauxhall area of London

A UKIP European election billboard is displayed in the Vauxhall area of London

THE IRISH ARE the “kith and kin” of British citizens and are not considered immigrants, according to the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

A spokesman for the British political party said the “shared history between Ireland and the UK” meant the Irish were not considered foreigners.

He added: “I do not anticipate any suggestion that the Irish would be expected to join the work permit scheme for immigrants – the Irish are simply not immigrants but our kith and kin.

“I could mention at this point that Parnell is regarded as something of a hero by Mr Farage, and that we have an Irish Press Officer in Brussels as well as many friends in the Republic from the days of the ‘No’ campaign against the Lisbon treaty.”

UKIP has launched a controversial campaign featuring a British construction worker sitting on the pavement with a cup for donations beside the caption ‘EU policy at work’.

Another poster features the Union Jack being burnt from its centre, with the EU flag coming through the gap.

The UKIP spokesman said the party was not anti-immigration but favoured controlled immigration through work permits that would “ensure the correct quality and quantity of workers”.

Under its proposals, Irish immigrants would be exempt from the permits.

Earlier today, the party’s leader Nigel Farage made headlines for an exchange with BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson.

During the interview, the MEP said that he did not believe his wife was taking a British job by being his secretary.

Natasha Browne is an Irish journalist living in London. See more here.