‘Purple Pinocchio’ down and out as voters reject UKIP
UKIP leader Paul Nuttall’s shambolic bid to become an MP ended in failure after a heavy defeat to Labour in the Stoke by-election.
The man dubbed the “Purple Pinocchio” limped home in second place – just 79 votes ahead of the third-placed Tories – as Labour easily held Stokeon-Trent Central.
But defiant Mr Nuttall insisted he would not quit as UKIP leader and left the count in chaotic scenes yesterday as he batted away suggestions his false claims about Hillsborough had led to the loss.
The UKIP boss was soundly beaten by local Labour councillor Gareth Snell, who won 7,853 votes (37%) in a by-election triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Tristram Hunt.
Mr Nuttall won 5,233 votes (25%) and 25-year-old Tory candidate Jack Brereton got 5,154 (24%). In his victory speech, Mr Snell declared: “To those who came to Stoke-on-Trent to sow hatred and division, and turn us away from our friends and neighbours, I have one simple message – you have failed.” Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made a brief visit to Stoke to congratulate his party’s new MP.
Earlier, Mr Nuttall spoke about his defeat before leaving the Fenton Manor sports hall, where the count had taken place, pursued by a scrum of journalists. He initially went the wrong way as a baffled aide said “where the f***’s the car?” before spinning round and being walked to the vehicle by police officers.
By lunchtime yesterday, his campaign office – smeared with a red painted cross by vandals – had been cleared out, as activists made a quick exit.
Mr Nuttall said: “There’s a lot more to come from us. We’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. So, we move on and our time will come.”
But Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, whose candidate Zulfiqar Ali trailed in fourth in Stoke, said after the result: “This is the beginning of the end for UKIP. They no longer have a purpose.”
To those who came to Stoke to sow hatred and division, I have one simple message. You have failed
GARETH SNELL NEW LABOUR MP IN VICTORY SPEECH