Ukip civil war: latest
Nigel Farage earlier today
Ukip is in full on turmoil this afternoon with high profile figures split down the middle – some backing Nigel Farage to the hilt and some backing the apparent coup attempt launched this morning to oust him.
In the wake of accusations from senior figures that he is one of the figures leading Nigel Farage in the wrong direction Matt Richardson,the UKIP party secretary has resigned. His resignation will now be considered by UKIP’s NEC.
Nigel Farage’s election strategist, the other aide who has been widely discussed this morning, Rahem Kassam is staying on. Mr Kassam, who flew to America last night for a post-election holiday told The Telegraph that Mr O’Flynn and others had timed their coup to coincide with his break.
He said: “This isn’t them versus me, this is them versus Nigel. They see his body armour has gone so think ‘let’s have a pop’,” Mr Kassam told The Telegraph.
“In the fullness of time our side of the story will be heard in full. I’m not going to stoop to their level. This is an elected MEP [Mr O’Flyn] attacking back office staff. It is unprecedented.”
Nigel Farage himself is keeping his head down. Asked if Ukip is now in turmoil he replied: “I don’t think so.”
“If the NEC unanimously backs me it is not my fault,” he added as he arrived at the party’s headquarters in London.