British politician accused of racism walks out of interview

First, the British politician, who is a member of Ukip, a conservative party that opposes the European Union, was caught on video criticizing the United Kingdom’s practice of sending aid to what he called “Bongo Bongo Land.” He said the people of that made-up country use British money to buy Ray-Ban sunglasses, Ferraris, and apartments in Paris.

That led to some members of the party lobbying to leave Bloom off the list of eligible candidates for the next round of European elections. Bloom’s remarks were being talked about “at the highest levels of the party.”

Then Bloom went on Channel 4 News for an interview and said he didn’t understand how “Bongo Bongo Land” could be construed as racist, and that he’ll only stop using the phrase to appease his party leaders: