British DJ withdraws satirical track for anti-EU party

(LONDON) - A former British DJ on Wednesday withdrew a song he released in honour of the anti-immigration UK Independence Party (UKIP) sung in a mock Caribbean accent, following a wave of criticism.

The "UKIP Calypso" song by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read had risen to number one on the Amazon download rankings, but sparked accusations that it was racist.

"I'm so sorry that the song unintentionally caused offence... I've asked the record company to withdraw the single immediately," said Read, a prominent UKIP supporter.

He had defended the track after its release this week, particularly his use of a fake accent, saying "you can't sing a calypso in a Surrey accent" -- a county in southeast England.

The song accuses Britain's leaders of committing the "cardinal sin" of opening its borders, with "illegal immigrants in every town", and includes the lyrics: "The EU live in wonderland/ Tried to ban bent bananas and British jam."

The cover featured UKIP leader Nigel Farage in front of the prime minister's Downing Street residence, smiling with a pint of beer and apparently ready to break into song.

Farage had promoted the song and a spokesman said: "We thought it was just a bit of fun, as did thousands of people."

UKIP often rejects accusations of being a racist party.

It said proceeds from the song's sales were going to charities involved in the struggle against the Ebola epidemic.