06 October,2016 09:25 AM IST | | Agencies
Nigel Farage yesterday ruled out returning to head up Britain’s anti-EU UK Independence Party, a day after its newly nominated leader Diane James resigned suddenly just over two weeks into her new job
File photo shows outgoing leader Nigel Farage embracing newly-elected leader of the (UKIP) Diane James. Pic/AFP
London: Nigel Farage yesterday ruled out returning to head up Britain's anti-EU UK Independence Party, a day after its newly nominated leader Diane James resigned suddenly just over two weeks into her new job. "Not at all. I've done my job," Farage said, adding, "It is time for somebody else." He remains the acting leader of the party until a replacement is found.
Farage was one of the best-known faces of the Brexit campaign and quit following the June 23 vote to leave the EU, saying his life's ambition had been achieved.
Succession failure
James, a UKIP member of the European Parliament, was elected leader on September 16 to replace him, but the party is riven with internal tensions and facing a larger existential crisis after the Brexit vote. James said yesterday that she did not have the "full support" of the party and was stepping down. The Times said James felt shaken after being spat at on a train last week and was additionally reluctant to lead UKIP without assurances about the party's funding.
