Senior Ukip figure quits party over leader’s links to Tommy Robinson

The former deputy chairwoman of Ukip has become the latest high-level 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 within the party for taking Mr Robinson, the co-founder 0 Tommy Robinson is adviser to Ukip leader Gerard Batten

of the English Defence League, on as an adviser. Last month former leader Nigel Farage said he would write to Ukip’s ruling National Executive Committee to demand a vote of no confidence to remove Mr Batten as leader. But on Sunday Ukip said its NEC had voted “overwhelmingly” against a motion of no confidence.

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 ‘Momentumstyle’ takeover of Ukip, but I am not. 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.”

Ukip has said it “does not endorse the appointment of Tommy Robinson in any advisory role”.