Shropshire Star

Paul Nuttall wants the death penalty brought back - what do you think?

The UKIP leader says most of the country want to bring back the death penalty - but what do you think?

Published
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall

Paul Nuttall says he would have no problem being involved in executing those who kill children or British soldiers.

The MEP is a supporter of capital punishment and said his party would be "only too happy" to offer a referendum on whether it should return or not if "enough people called" for one.

Speaking to The Mail On Sunday, Mr Nuttall said: "I would like to see the death penalty for terrorists and child killers."

The newspaper reported that when asked if he was prepared to act as executioner Mr Nuttall replied: "Yes."

It added Mr Nuttall cited the killers of soldier Lee Rigby and Moors murderer Ian Brady when adding: "'For people who kill a (British) soldier and harm children, I would not have a problem doing it.

"I believe in capital punishment for treason. Opinion polls show the vast majority of people agree with me."

Mr Nuttall said his support for capital punishment is not official Ukip policy.

Mr Nuttall also defended Ukip's manifesto for attempting to justify calls to ban the burka and niqab as the face-covering veils "prevent intake of essential vitamin D from sunlight".

He told ITV's Peston On Sunday: "There's a myriad of medical research which shows if you don't show your face or the rest of your body to the sun there will be vitamin D deficiencies."

Told that is not why he wanted to ban the burka, Mr Nuttall added: "That's peripheral."