Fresh trouble for UKIP as Steven Woolfe quits party

Steven Woolfe dramatically quit UKIP yesterday saying the party is "ungovernable without Nigel Farage leading it and the referendum cause to unite it".

His dramatic resignation came less than two weeks after he was hospitalised following an altercation in the European Parliament with fellow UKIP MEP Mike Hookem.

Woolfe suffered two seizures and was left fighting for his life before making a remarkable recovery in a Strasbourg hospital.

He had been bookies' favourite to be the next UKIP leader following Diane James' decision to quit after just 18 days in the job.

Woolfe had been forced to ditch his attempt to succeed Nigel Farage earlier in the summer after he submitted his nomination papers 17 minutes late.

In a statement last night, he said he had been left with no choice but to quit the party - and launched a ferocious attack on UKIP bosses.

He said: "I have been proud to be a part of the team led by Nigel Farage, one of Britain's greatest ever politicians. He brought me into the party and helped us win the referendum - a moment I will always treasure.

“Without Nigel, the donors, the team members and the activists, the UK would not be free today.

"It was because of the support from party members that I put my name forward to lead the party in the summer, and again two weeks ago following Diane's resignation. 

“However, I could not have foreseen the events that would follow.

"The events at the meeting in Strasbourg led to me later being treated by doctors for two seizures, partial paralysis and loss of feeling in my face and body.  

"I would like to thank all of the medical staff in Strasbourg for their impressive and swift treatment. I owe them my life.

“I would also like to thank my family and friends for their love and support – and also all of the people in politics who have sent me their best wishes. 

"Since then, I have spent some time considering my personal and political future. 

“It is with deep sorrow and regret that I am aborting my leadership campaign and announcing my resignation from UKIP with immediate effect.

"I believe that a strong UKIP would hold this government's feet to the fire and make sure it delivers a clean Brexit. 

“However, I have come to the conclusion that UKIP is ungovernable without Nigel Farage leading it and the referendum cause to unite it.
 
"The way I was treated by members of my own party during the summer’s leadership campaign and the events that have led up to today have all contributed to me coming to this conclusion.

“The party is riddled with infighting, proxy wars between rival camps and is run by an NEC that is not fit for purpose."