New UKIP leader Gerard Batten reveals plans to quit 'next year' to make way for party election

Mr Batten said he took on the role to 'ensure the party's immediate survival'
PA Archive/PA Images
Martin Coulter14 April 2018
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Ukip's new leader announced he intends to resign in 12 months as he was installed in the post after an uncontested election.

Gerard Batten said he will spend the next year trying to restore the party's fortunes after a tumultuous period that has seen it implode with bitter infighting and stretched by financial struggles.

The London MEP warned that the Eurosceptic party needs to get "back into the political fight" as the local elections in England approach.

Mr Batten said: "As I said at the start of the contest, if the election were to be uncontested, I would hold office for 12 months.

Henry Bolton was ousted in February
Getty Images

"Therefore, I intend to resign on 13 April 13 2019 so that a full leadership contest may take place. By then I will have decided if I wish to contest that election or not.

"For the next 12 months, I will concentrate on doing all I can to restore the party's fortunes. A very good start has been made and the party is now on a sound financial footing."

Mr Batten became interim leader after predecessor Henry Bolton was ousted in February.

Mr Bolton was kicked out of the job over his relationship with controversial model Jo Marney, who sent offensive messages about Meghan Markle.

After taking the helm, Mr Batten had to appeal to U members for funds after the party faced possible insolvency when it was landed with a £175,000 legal bill from a libel case lost by its MEP Jane Collins.

Mr Batten said: "My role as interim leader was to ensure the immediate survival of the party. That has been done. However, we must move on and progress.

"My aim for the next 12 months as Ukip Leader is to restore the party; financially, organisationally and politically.

"I will not make any extravagant promises. We are essentially a volunteer organisation and we have a difficult task ahead; one which will require a lot of commitment and work. But Ukip is needed now as much as ever."

Additional reporting by the Press Association

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in