Ukip attempts show of unity after catfights

THE new leader of Ukip and the party’s only MP put on a public show of unity as they took to the stage in the final hours of a conference dominated by bitter infighting. Diane James and Douglas Carswell shook hands and smiled for the cameras as they posed for pictures ahead of his speech to activists.

James said it was her “absolute pleasure” to welcome the Clacton MP onto the platform in Bournemouth and praised his “courageous” decision to defect from the Conservatives. “I’m not interested in what has gone on beforehand,” she told party members.

Carswell said he supported James 110 per cent and described her victory speech as wonderful. “The membership has spoken and it has made a clear choice,” he said. “We must now all rally behind Diane.”

Earlier, the MP insisted he would not quit Ukip after outgoing leader Nigel Farage accused him of doing “all that he can to split the party” and suggesting he needed to “make a big decision” about his future.

The internecine fighting warfare within Ukip came as Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron told his party’s annual conference that it is stronger and more relevant than ever in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Speaking on the opening day of the conference in Brighton, Farron claimed his party, which has vowed to campaign for the UK to stay in the EU, is the only one speaking up for an “open, tolerant, united” country.