Ukip candidate Peter Lello, who was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a homeless Bulgarian
Ukip candidate Peter Lello, who was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a homeless Bulgarian Twitter

A Ukip politician, running as a mayoral candidate for Lewisham in southeast London in today's local elections, has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a Bulgarian tramp.

Peter Lello, who is gay, was held by police in south London over the allegation earlier this month.

Lello's arrest would seem to jar with the message from Ukip party leader Nigel Farage, who has voiced his concerns about people from Romania and Bulgaria living in the UK.

The Metropolitan police said: "Detectives from Lewisham borough are investigating an allegation of sexual assault. The allegation was made to police on Sunday, 11 May.

"The assault is alleged to have taken place either the evening of May 2 or the early hours of May 3 at an address in Lewisham.

"Officers arrested a man aged in his 40s in connection with their investigation. He has since been bailed until a date in June."

Lello is running against Duwayne Brooks, a friend of teenager Stephen Lawrence, who was stabbed to death by a racist gang in 1993.

Lello was unavailable for comment.

UKIP Nigel Farage