Chaos continues at Ukip as party chairman resigns

PAUL OAKDEN, the Ukip chairman, has resigned in the latest indication of the chaos within the party.

His final act will be to chair an extraordinary general meeting of the party on Saturday to decide on the fate of Henry Bolton, the embattled leader.

Mr Oakden said his decision to quit was made “irrespective of the outcome” of the meeting, which is expected to attract thousands of Ukip members.

Party officials denied Mr Oakden’s departure was related to an email gaffe over the weekend in which he signed a message to party members “interim leader”.

Mr Oakden said: “I have made this decision irrespective of the outcome of the EGM and I’m announcing it now to ensure that it remains absolutely unconnected to whatever democratic decision the membership may take on Saturday.”