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Read our Privacy and Cookie policies to find out more. 1. News 2. Politics Mike Read's Ukip song featuring mock Caribbean accent branded 'racist' and Farage tips it to hit no1 * Robin de Peyer * Monday 20 October 2014 14:08 BST * Backlash: Ukip leader Nigel Farage Chris Radburn/PA Wire A song performed in a mock Caribbean accent which Ukip leader Nigel Farage has backed to top the charts today sparked accusations of racism. The song, by former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read, was endorsed by Mr Farage when he called on his Twitter followers to "help get the Ukip Calypso by The Independents to Number 1." It criticises mainstream political parties for allowing "illegal immigrants in every town", and warns listeners against trusting the Prime Minister's pledges on EU reform. "The British people have been let down, that's why Ukip is making ground. From Crewe to Cleethorpes, from Hull to Hendon, they don't believe Cameron's referendum," sings Read. Mr Farage's endorsement of the song sparked a backlash on Twitter, where one user deemed it "ill-judged, offensive and downright awful." IFRAME: //www.youtube.com/embed/Xqs9OSbWluQ Michael Abberton posted: "The UKIP Calypso... a song about immigration by a party claiming not to be racist, sung by old white man with fake Jamaican accent." Others poked fun at the party's attempts to tackle allegations of racism. One posted: "Because the perfect way of making your party seem not racist is releasing a song sung in a mock Jamaican accent.." Another wrote: "A white guy singing about immigration in a bad Caribbean accent probably isn't the best way to prove you're not racist." Read currently hosts an afternoon show on BBC Berkshire having previously spent more than a decade at Radio 1. Mike-Read.jpg Man behind the music: former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read (Picture: Getty) A BBC spokeswoman said he had not breached guidelines on impartiality by recording the song in support of the anti-EU party. And responding to criticism on social media, the former Conservative supporter dismissed accusations of racism and insisted the song is "political satire". Related links * Ex-Radio 1 DJ Mike Read apologises for 'Ukip Calypso' song after racism row * Ukip song featuring mock Caribbean accent branded 'racist' and Farage tips it to hit no1 * Nigel Farage: Ukip can't be a one-man band * Nigel Farage in Ukip carnival no-show because 'Croydon is not safe' * Ukip leader Nigel Farage faces racism watchdog probe over Romanians remark Responding to one user who asked if he planned to "black up" while singing the number, he wrote: "tha a [sic] how we sing calypso with my Jamaican pals when I'm out there. Love calypso music & working with Jamaican tourism." Speaking on Sky News, he added: "It's a satire and a bit of fun. It's not terribly serious. It wouldn't have sounded very good sung in a Surrey accent." Ukip has previously attempted to highlight its ethnic minority members with a rally in Croydon, during which a steel band left after realising who they had been booked for and local party candidate Winston McKenzie branded the area a "dump". Comments Most Popular Video Sponsored Features * Follow us: * * * All Topics * All Authors * Archive * Terms of use * Contact Us * Privacy policy * Cookie policy * Code of Conduct & Complaints * Advertisers * Promotion rules * Contributors * Syndication * Business Connections * Homes & Property * London Live * The Independent * This is London Magazine * i100 * iJobs [p?c1=2&c2=10476312&cv=2.0&cj=1]