Ukip elects low-profile candidate as new leader

NEW Ukip leader Henry Bolton emerged from obscurity to defy the bookies and beat the two frontrunners in the contest to replace Paul Nuttall.

The 54-year-old former soldier comes to the role after a distinguished career as a diplomat, having been awarded an OBE for services to international security in 2013.

Ukip grandee Nigel Farage welcomed his appointment as party chief, calling him a “man of real substance”.

Despite being relatively unknown, the ex-Thames Valley police officer, who joined the party in 2014, is no stranger to running for elected posts.

He stood for the Liberal Democrats in Runnymede and Weybridge in the 2005 general election, finishing third behind current Chancellor Philip Hammond. More recently, the Sandhurst alumnus stood for Ukip as Police and Crime Commissioner in Kent in 2016, finishing second.

Mr Bolton (above), who describes himself as “an expert in borders, security and foreign policy”, has worked as a diplomat for the United Nations, Foreign Office and the EU, according to his website.

It adds he was deployed to countries like Croatia, Kosovo, Libya and Ukraine on diplomatic missions for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

After his surprise triumph, the Kent man said: “I do not see myself now as simply being your leader, I see myself as serving this party.”