Nigel Farage has withdrawn his resignation as leader of UKIP, initially tendered as pledged after losing his election bid for the South Thanet constituency on Thursday.
UKIP's National Executive has rejected my resignation as leader. Please see my Facebook page for the full statement: http://t.co/VTsOFgS3Tw
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) May 11, 2015
UKIP Chairman Steve Crowther said in a statement: “As promised Nigel Farage tendered his official resignation as leader of UKIP to the NEC.”
However, Crowther says the offer was “anomalously rejected by the NEC members who produced overwhelmingly evidence that the UKIP membership did not want Nigel to go.”
Friday: "Nigel Farage says he is 'a man of my word' as he resigns". Today: We learn not so much.
— Tim Montgomerie ن (@montie) May 11, 2015
Very pleased @Nigel_Farage still at the helm. As stated previously, I tried to persuade him to stay and was never actually appointed leader!
— Suzanne Evans (@SuzanneEvans1) May 11, 2015
Nigel Farage appears to be trying to follow the career trajectory of Jesus
— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) May 11, 2015
@Nigel_Farage won't be having that quiet summer watching the cricket after all. #UKIP has rejected his resignation https://t.co/q4woF5htGa
— James Franey (@jamesfraney) May 11, 2015
I am absolutely delighted that Nigel Farage is STILL LEADER of UKIP, great news, now how about the South Thanet Election #UKIP
— Andrew Fairfoull (@UKIPbevand7) May 11, 2015
“The NEC also concluded that UKIP’s general election campaign had been a great success,” Crowther added.
“We have fought a positive campaign with a very good manifesto and despite relentless, negative attacks and an astonishing last minute swing to the Conservatives over fear of the SNP, that in these circumstances, 4 million votes was an extraordinary achievement,” he added.
Therefore, Nigel Farage withdrew his resignation “and will remain leader of UKIP,” Crowther added.
“In addition the NEC recognized that the referendum campaign has already begun this week and we need our best team to fight that campaign led by Nigel.”
“He has therefore been persuaded by the NEC to withdraw his resignation and remains leader of UKIP,” Crowther confirms.
A UKIP spokesperson said Farage is “going back in all guns blazing.”
“With the EU referendum on the agenda there’s lots to be getting on with.”
“I think his holiday will be put on hold,” the UKIP spokesperson added.
Nigel Farage will resume his position as UKIP party leader immediately.
Farage tendered his resignation after failing to secure his target seat of South Thanet in Kent, south east England. He came in second place with 16,026 votes (32 percent), losing to the Conservative candidate Craig Mackinlay with 18,838 votes (38 percent).