A former Ukip MEP’s aide, who admitted trying to inflate a receipt for an official bash, claimed it was done under the direction of the politician.

Christine Hewitt admitted a fraud charge after an invoice for a £950 dinner was made out for £3,000.

Hewitt, from Kings Hill, told the court she was aggrieved her former boss Janice Atkinson, hadn’t also been charged.

It was revealed Hewitt paid the £950 and has never got the money back from Ukip.

The 55-year-old chief of staff to the MEP, who planned to stand as an MP for Folkestone and Hythe at last year’s general election, was given a four-month jail sentence suspended for a year and 40 hours of unpaid community work.

Judge William Kennedy said: “The money you were seeking to obtain came from the funds of the EU. Those who pay their taxes expect absolute honesty in the way their government spends that hard-earned money.”

Martin Hooper, defending, said the former teacher had been “hung out to dry” by her former boss and her life was ‘in tatters.’

Ms Atkinson, 54, has never faced any criminal action, but the scandal led to her being expelled from Ukip

Mr Hooper said the MEP had ordered her worker “not to mention it was a Ukip event” and to send the receipt to her.

He added: “Janice Atkinson was well aware and instrumental in arranging what happened.”

Mr Hooper said Hewitt tried to express her concerns, but nothing happened.

He claimed that after the fraud was exposed Hewitt’s 24-year marriage ended when the MEP had a word with her husband.

The MEP was suspended and she sacked Hewitt after a disciplinary hearing at Ms Atkinson’s home.

Prosecutor Angela Knight told Canterbury Crown Court that Ukip had been holding its spring conference in Margate, in February.

Hewitt, of Townsend Square, was organising a women’s lunch at The Hoy pub.

Manager David Goulding met Hewitt and agreed to provide a buffet for 35-50 guests.

Hewitt talked about an event sponsor, suggesting Mr Goulding increase the invoice and add a premium.

The bill was to be presented to a new alliance of European parties, indirectly funded by British taxpayers.

The court heard 50 people, mainly men, turned up and Hewitt asked for a £3,000 invoice.

Mr Goulding told police he was increasingly unhappy about the situation.

A national newspaper was contacted, which sent a reporter to the pub posing as a member of staff and filmed Hewitt saying the inflated bill was a way of “repatriating funds” from the EU.

The footage was handed to Kent Police.

Ms Atkinson was immediately suspended from Ukip and is now an independent MEP.