Ukip split after MEP is barred from leader race

UKIP last night descended into civil war as the favourite to replace Nigel Farage as leader was banned from standing.

One of its leading donors threatened to create a rival party and three members of its national executive committee (NEC) quit after Steven Woolfe was barred.

The MEP and migration spokesman had been expected to take the top job but was 17 minutes late submitting his nomination papers, blaming technical difficulties for the delay. Yesterday he said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ and branded the ruling board ‘not fit for purpose’.

The decision plunged the party into a fresh round of bitter infighting and fuelled claims that it would split.

Supporters claimed Mr Woolfe had been the victim of a coup led by Ukip’s only MP, Douglas Carswell, and Neil Hamilton, group leader in the Welsh Assembly.

Michael McGough, Victoria Ayling and MEP Raymond Finch announced they were quitting the NEC. They said: ‘Steven Woolfe is a popular candidate and should be permitted to represent those that wish to vote for him.

‘To purposefully trawl for technicalities upon which to base a decision to deny his inclusion is not in the best interests of the membership and truly injurious to Ukip.’

Mr McGough told BBC Radio 4’s World At One: ‘This is a fight for survival. The party could be finished. It’s life or death.

‘We need reform and we need it now, so that we are ready to fight the next general election.’

Donor Arron Banks said he was considering whether to create a breakaway party.

Mr Hamilton denied he had mounted a coup against Mr Woolfe, claiming the MEP was responsible for the ‘cock-up’.

Ukip chairman Paul Oakden said the rules had to be followed. ‘Will the party split? I hope not, I don’t think so,” he told the BBC.

The exclusion of Mr Woolfe led to home affairs spokesman Diane James becoming favourite to succeed Mr Farage. MEPs Bill Etheridge and Jonathan Arnott, along with Elizabeth Jones, Councillor Lisa Duffy and Phillip Broughton, are also standing.

A Ukip spokesman said: ‘By a clear majority of NEC members, Steven Woolfe’s application was considered to be ineligible as a result of a late submission and as such he did not meet the eligibility criteria. His membership of the party was not in question.’