AN Irish-born candidate for the leadership of the UK Independence Party has been accused of ‘dividing’ the British public by calling for the internment of radical Muslims.
Anne Marie Waters, a controversial anti-Islam activist, was born and raised in Dublin but describes herself as “passionately, loyally, resolutely and proudly British” in her campaign video.
Ms Waters, 40, went to school in Stoneybatter in the north inner city of the Irish capital and settled in Britain around 15 years ago.
Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage said recently that the party would be “finished” if it became an anti-Islam movement under Waters.
In an interview with the Irishwoman on LBC, host Nick Ferrari told Waters that she is “dividing” the country with her stance on Islam.
Speaking on Mr Ferrari’s radio show, Waters admitted she doesn’t like Islam and that Britain needs to act to “protect” the country.
Speaking on the issue of internment, she said: "Protecting the public is the most important aspect. We can deal with the difficulties afterwards.
"What I want to know is why are we risking the public? We must prioritise the safety of the British people. That is simply what I'm calling for."
But Mr Ferrari told her: "Do you acknowledge that when it was done in Northern Ireland, it was one of the best recruiting tools the IRA ever had?
"Do we not learn from history?"
She responded: "This is growing and growing and growing. We are either going to sit back and wait and leave the public at risk, or we are going to take tough measures."
However, Ferrari insisted: "What is to be gained from dividing the British public?
"Rounding up people because of their faith and putting them in internment camps is a rather divisive move."
Ms Waters’ campaign manifesto outlines plans to ban burqas, investigate mosques and repeal the Human Rights Act, alongside her wish to introduce internment.
The founder of pressure group Sharia Watch, Waters has previously argued that UKIP could rekindle its dwindling support if it found the "guts" to be "honest about Islam".
