Ukip’s deputy chairman rejects endorsement as interim leader

Ukip’s Deputy Chairman Suzanne Evans has turned down an endorsement from Nigel Farage to become the party’s interim leader, referring the decision to the party’s decision-making forum.

Mr Farage announced earlier that he would be stepping down after failing to win his target seat South Thanet. He proposed Ms Evans as the party’s interim leader.

“I am of course honoured that Nigel has proposed me as interim leader of the party, whose hard working activists and supporters have propelled us so far,” she said.

“However the position is not mine to accept but must go to the National Executive Committee.

“They will meet in the coming days to decide who the party wants to act in the role of interim leader until such time as we organise a democratic vote of the party to decide an new Leader in due course.”