Red faces for UKIP in Twitter gaffe mistaking cathedral for a mosque

UKIP's South Thanet branch has been left with egg on its face after a social media gaffe of epic proportions.

Westminster Cathedral, mistaken by UKIP for a mosque.

The branch recently chose party leader Nigel Farage as its prospective parliamentary candidate for the 2015 elections. However, it's fair to say that he will have some hard questions for whoever is in charge of its Twitter account.

The BBC's Daily Politics programme tweeted a picture of a box with blue and red balls as Giles Dilnot involved people in a simple opinion poll: if they thought Nigel Farage had what it took to be prime minister they could drop a ball in the appropriate section.

However, South Thanet UKIP tweeted: "Perfect place to hold vote in front of a mosque in London. The BBC's random means selective."

Unfortunately, the "mosque" was in fact Westminster Cathedral, the iconic Roman Catholic building in the heart of London. Dilnot tweeted: "You are SO wrong you might be embarrassed by that."

Many UKIP members are unenthusiastic about the presence of large numbers of Muslims in the country and make a point of referring to Britain as a "Christian nation".

Westminster Cathedral is a striking building in the Byzantine style of architecture, which might have confused UKIP supporters who have been on holiday to Turkey, where it originated.

related articles
A new religious right in Britain? Meet the Christians who are voting UKIP
A new religious right in Britain? Meet the Christians who are voting UKIP

A new religious right in Britain? Meet the Christians who are voting UKIP

News
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria
13 Christians abducted in church attack in Nigeria

Thirteen Christians have been abducted by a militia group in Nigeria following a skirmish in Kogi State.

Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song
Former moderator of Church of Scotland teams up with pop star to release Christmas song

What do you do when you've retired from leading a church?

Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'

The university and students' union said the play was within the bounds of free speech laws.

Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged

A pro-life campaigner who silently prayed near an abortion clinic in Birmingham has been criminally charged.