Ukip exodus

Three more senior members resign

Ukip is in turmoil once again as several senior figures quit the party, claiming it is becoming irrelevant.

Paul Nuttall, its former leader, resigned yesterday, as did David Coburn, its leader in Scotland, and Peter Whittle, of the London Assembly.

They follow Nigel Farage, who left in protest at the direction the party is going.

Mr Whittle said the party he joined is ceasing to exist. He said Ukip has failed to take a leading role in Brexit and instead focused on who was or was not allowed to join, referring to the scandal in the wake of Ukip’s appointment of Tommy Robinson, the far-right activist, as an adviser. “Other preoccupations have… made it appear irrelevant,” he said. “I see no way of coming back from this.”

Mr Farage said Ukip would be damaged beyond repair if it failed to exclude extremists.