Campaigners from Index on Censorship have sent books from left-wing bookshop Bookmarks to three UKIP members involved in a protest there at the weekend.

One of those members is the party’s former general election candidate Martin Costello.

Index on Censorship said on Thursday that they have sent a copy of the six books, because they “believe reading broadens the mind and helps to create a more tolerant and inclusive society”. The books sent via UKIP include The Handmaid’s Tale, The Color Purple and the Qur’an as well as Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.

Chief executive of the group Jodie Ginsberg said: “I hope they’ll read them – this is a great collection of books. We hope the books will introduce them to different ideas.”

Mr Costello has been suspended by UKIP along with two others after allegations that a protest at the shop turned aggressive.

The incident, where the bookshop says a dozen people,ripped up posters, chanted and intimidated staff is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police, but Mr Costello denies any wrongdoing.