WEST Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox this week hit out at UK Independence Party electioneering tactics, describing their campaign policy in marginal seats as 'underhand'. UKIP is demanding Conservative MPs in marginal seats like his own — he has a majority of just over 3,000 — sign up to its 'Better off Out' campaign, which calls for the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union. MPs who fail to support the campaign will face a UKIP candidate in the next general election. Those who support it would not face UKIP opposition and would also receive campaign support. Mr Cox said his office has been contacted on several occasions by former tennis ace and UKIP supporter Buster Mottram and last week received an email from him, threatening the party would 'decapitate' him at the next general election. Mr Cox said: 'Basically he rang me and tried to twist my arm, as he put it, to do what UKIP wants. 'That is essentially to cheat the voters of West Devon and Torridge by doing a deal which prevents a UKIP candidate standing. 'I've told him I'm not likely to succumb to that kind of tactic and don't believe in it anyway and I was fairly robust in telling Mr Mottram this was not acceptable.' But South West MEP Roger Knapman, the former UKIP leader who lives in West Devon, defended his party's actions, saying UKIP was being clear and open about its campaign. Mr Knapman said: 'I am surprised that Geoffrey should be affronted at this suggestion, as he often tells anyone who will listen, particularly around election time, that he is a good Euro-sceptic and on that basis, he should, as a number of his colleagues have done, support our approach.' Mr Knapman said UKIP intended to field a candidate in West Devon and Torridge — unless Mr Cox signed up to the Better Off Out campaign.
