EDL founder’s role sees another Ukip figure quit
THE former deputy chairwoman of Ukip has become the latest high-profile figure to quit the party in protest at the leadership of Gerard Batten and his association with Tommy Robinson.
Suzanne Evans said she had become “increasingly alarmed in recent months by the perverse direction” Mr Batten was taking the Eurosceptic party, the day after its national executive voted against a motion of no confidence in him.
Mr Batten has come under fire in recent weeks for taking Mr Robinson, the co-founder of the English Defence League (EDL), on as an adviser. Last month former leader Nigel Farage said he would write to Ukip’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to demand a vote of no confidence to remove Mr Batten as leader, and accused him of damaging both the party and the Brexit cause.
But on Sunday, Ukip said its NEC had voted “overwhelmingly” against a motion of no confidence.
Announcing her decision, Ms Evans said that “the NEC and Ukip MEPs might be willing to turn a blind eye to the obvious attempts by Gerard and Tommy Robinson to orchestrate a ‘Momentum-style’ takeover of Ukip, but I am not”.
She said: “I was hoping, yesterday, that sense would prevail; that Ukip’s National Executive Committee would call for a ‘no confidence’ vote in Batten, so the party could be prevented from taking a devastatingly wrong turn.
“But if even those elected to represent ordinary members won’t protect Ukip from a leader who appears hell bent on destroying it from within, then there is no hope left.”
In a statement, Ukip said it “does not endorse the appointment of Tommy Robinson in any advisory role”, adding: “He is not a Ukip member and through his associations he is barred from joining Ukip.”
Mr Batten has defended giving Mr Robinson a role advising him on rape gangs and prison reform, describing him as “courageous”.