New leader of Ukip says ‘we have avoided becoming the UK Nazi Party’

Ukip’s new leader Henry Bolton has said the political group has avoided becoming the “UK Nazi Party” with his election at the expense of a candidate who described Islam as “evil”.

The little-known candidate beat the two front-runners in the contest – controversial Sharia Watch director Anne Marie Waters and London Assembly member Peter Whittle – to win with 3,874 votes.

His shock victory avoided a potential split within the party, afteranumberofmepsreportedly threatened to quit if Ms Waters won, and appeared to bring back on board Ukip bighitters Nigel Farage and millionaire donor Arron Banks.

The former army officer told the party’s conference in Torquay: “Brexit is our core task, however, it is not the end of the line.” He also signalled a softening of Ukip’s message on Islam.

Asked whether Ukip had avoided becoming the “UK Nazi Party”, referring to comments he made in the campaign, Mr Bolton told a press conference: “Absolutely, yes.”

He went on: “Absolutely, I think the party has today voted for a leader who has been very open about what he feels is the way forward, and that’s myself of course.”

Shortly after his victory was announced, Mr Farage took to Twitter to declare himself “delighted”, describing Mr Bolton as “a man of real substance”.

Insurance tycoon Mr Banks signalled he may begin backing Ukip again, which would be seen as a major coup for the new leader.

Mr Banks tweeted: “This is great news and I’m sure both myself and Nigel will want to re-engage with the party.”

Bolton’s victory came as his party was accused of designing a new logo that is a “rip off ” of the emblem of the Premier League.

England’s top flight is believed to be consulting its lawyers over the accusations.

A party spokesman insisted the design, which features a purple lion on a white background like the Premier League’s logo, “is not a ripoff” and stressed that Ukip had “checked” that it does not infringe copyright.