THE UKIP candidate for Bradford South has spoken of his frustration after claiming his rivals were unavailable to hold a hustings.

Stephen Place said that, despite several requests, both the Conservative and Labour Parliamentary candidates Tanya Graham and Judith Cummins, were unavailable.

Mr Place says he had suggested Friday, June 2, for a hustings at a venue to be determined, but the Conservatives have a full diary and, despite a tweet and two email requests, Mrs Cummins had not answered his request.

Mr Place said “It is a great shame that the people of Bradford South will not get to meet and speak to the candidates who are seeking to represent them in Parliament and here at home in Bradford.

“I am willing to meet them any time and at any venue in front of an open invited audience in order that they can ask us questions and listen to our ideas.”

A spokesman for Labour candidate Mrs Cummins said: “We are mystified by this claim as we have not had an invitation for any hustings event.”

And Tory candidate Ms Graham said: “My sole focus in this election is to talk with as many local residents in Bradford South as I can in the few short days that remain.”

In an email to Mr Place, seen by the Telegraph & Argus, Gillie Gill, agent for the Bradford Conservatives, said: “Thank you for your email regarding hustings.

“Unfortunately we have our programme planned for the next three weeks and we are, therefore, unable to fit in your suggested event.”

A total of six candidates are standing for election in Bradford South. The others are Therese Hirst (English Democrats), Darren Parkinson (Green) and Stuart Thomas (Lib Dem).

Meanwhile, Ms Graham has criticised a claim in Mrs Cummins’ campaign literature which includes the statement, ‘this election is not about Brexit. That’s already happening’.

Ms Graham said: “To boldly claim that the vote on June 8 has nothing to do with Brexit because it’s ‘already happening’ is either incredibly naïve or shockingly complacent.

“The triggering of Article 50 simply marked the formal start of the Brexit process and two years of crucial negotiations which can run until March 2019.

“The election in Bradford South is very much about who voters trust to stand up for their interests in these talks.

“To deny that reality to residents here and pretend that there’s nothing we can do to improve our lives through a good Brexit deal is irresponsible and wrong.

“And based on her election literature, it is clear that this candidate in Bradford South is not the right person to stand up for local interests.”

In response, Mrs Cummins said: “Tanya Graham is trying to trick people that this election is about Brexit; it’s about so much more.

“It is about Tory cuts to policing and schools and about pensions and social care.

“Her claims are ridiculous.”