The UK Independence Party could face another hearing into the treatment of MEP Nikki Sinclaire.

Sinclaire, who now sits as an independent MEP for the West Midlands, claimed that she had the party whip removed due to her sexual orientation. She refused to sit with members of UKIP’s allies, the far-right Italian party, Liga Nord, due to their homophobic views. She said, “You would not expect a black MEP to sit next to a Ku Klux Klan member so why would you expect me to sit next to someone who wanted me dead?”

After action was taken by UKIP in January 2010, Sinclaire decided to refer the case to an employment tribunal. In December a default judgement was found in her favour due to UKIP failing to lodge a defence. The party blamed this on an administration error. Sinclaire has now agreed to have a mediation meeting with the party with the intention of settling the matter outside of the employment tribunal. However, she is prepared to continue with proceedings if necessary, saying, “This will put the matter back to stage one and if negotiations prove futile, I will robustly pursue via a tribunal.”

Responding to the administration error last year, a UKIP spokesman said, “The respondents have always intended to defend this case vigorously and the application is accompanied by a robust response challenging almost every aspect of her case, including the tribunal’s jurisdiction.”

Sinclaire also alleges she was called “queer” by UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom. He is being investigated for the comment, which he firmly denies.

Until she had the whip removed, Sinclaire had been one of the UK Independence Party’s longest-serving members.

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