Inspired by Michael Crick…

Tim Bouverie, political producer, has sent this update from Essex:

Chris Hope got booed and jeered at with cries of shame from Ukip audience when he pointed out that there was only one black face among all the photographs in the manifesto, and that that face was on the international aid page, funding for which Ukip is planning to cut.

After this about half a dozen black and ethnic minority candidates stood up and started heckling him along with the rest of the audience. This went on for about a minute.

The last time a journalist was asked about the lack of black faces in Ukip literature he was hit on the head with the party document. That of course was our very own Michael Crick. Indeed Mr Hope said he was inspired to ask the question by the treatment Michael got when he risked it last time.

Unusually for a Ukip event, Michael was called on first by Ukip deputy Paul Nuttall, to ask a question. He said they would start with Michael, because, to quote a phrase used by another political party: “Things can only get better”.

Cue large cheers for Michael. The man Ukip love to hate.