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Ukip chiefs hired a City barrister to keep “bad stuff” hidden from the public, leaked documents show.

National executive committee meeting minutes from June 2013 detail how Matthew Richardson became Ukip secretary.

They state Mr Richardson’s role as party secretary would be deciding “whether to take injunctions out” when Ukip is criticised in the media.

And they suggest the party may have skeletons in the closet which he has been tasked to hide.

The minutes state: “We need to ensure all of the bad stuff is kept out of the public domain.

“As party secretary (Mr Richardson) would try to ensure that we keep a tight reign on things.”

The revelation is damaging for Ukip chief Nigel Farage, who tries to present his party as a ‘people’s army’ which does not indulge in typical Westminster spin.

UKIP has been repeatedly rocked by a series of offensive comments from candidates, councillors and supporters - but claims it wants members to be free to speak their minds.

poll loading Do 'gaffes' make Ukip less electable? 500+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

Labour’s shadow solicitor general Karl Turner said: "This is typical of a party which pretends to be one thing, but in reality is something else altogether.

“Ukip shouldn’t need a top lawyer to stop their members making offensive remarks - they just need to stop making them.”

The leaked minutes are taken from a meeting of UKIP’s national executive committee in June 2013.

The party’s top officials discussed the need for a top lawyer to be “actively involved” in its media operation.

“We will face some tough times and need to decide whether to take injunctions out or not,” the minutes state.

Mr Richardson was then introduced to the committee as the chosen nomination for the party secretary role.

The lawyer told the members he “specialises in online reputation management”.

The minutes then show party chairman Steve Crowther complained that “work must be done in dealing with what our members publish”.

And Mr Richardson agreed “that the party in general must get a grip on this”.

The committee unanimously agreed to approve Mr Richardson’s appointment at the end of the meeting.

He could not be reached personally for a comment last night.

But a Ukip spokeswoman said: “Like all other parties we have a party secretary to manage legal and political affairs.

"No injunctions have ever been used.”