Cash appeal saves Ukip and raises £300,000

The future of Ukip has been assured after an emergency appeal for funds raised almost £300,000 from members and well-wishers, interim leader Gerard Batten has announced.

Ukip faced possible insolvency after receiving a £175,000 legal bill from a libel case lost by MEP Jane Collins.

But Mr Batten announced that his appeal for £100,000 had been more than met, meaning “Ukip is now safe”.

Some £215,441 has been donated by Ukip branches and £79,477 by individuals, bringing the total raised to £294,918, he said.

The legal bill had been paid “by other means”, he said. Ukip declined to discuss the source of that money.