Nigel Farage 'will take over' as leader of the Brexit Party after Catherine Blaiklock resigns over her racist tweets
The Brexit Party was set up earlier this year and is made up of former Ukip members
By Serina Sandhu
Updated October 15, 2020 11:55 am
Nigel Farage looks set to take over the Brexit Party (Photo: Getty)
Nigel Farage has signalled his return to the political frontline by saying he will take over the leadership of the Brexit Party.
It comes after the party's leader Catherine Blaiklock stood down following the discovery of racist tweets.
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The former Ukip leader and arch-Brexiteer said he would "absolutely" stand in the EU elections for the new party if Britain had to take part because Brexit was delayed.
Theresa May has been clear about her reluctance for Britain to take part in the EU elections. As it stands, Article 50 could be extended until 22 May if MPs approve the Prime Minister's Withdrawal Agreement to ensure Britain is exempt from election in the bloc.
'Virtual party'
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Farage said: "The Brexit Party was set up a few weeks ago, it's registered with the Electoral Commission, it is at the moment a virtual party – it's a website – we haven't launched."
Pressed on the resignation of the previous leader, he said the messages were "horrible… angry, intolerant stuff".
Mr Farage, who quit Ukip because the current leader is "obsessed" with Islam, added: "She was never intended to be the long-term leader, she was there as an interim…
"I knew she had strong opinions but I was unaware of this.
"I will take over as the leader of the Brexit Party and I will lead this party into the European elections."
The Brexit Party was launched in January 2019 by Ms Blaiklock, the former Ukip economics spokeswoman, with the support of Mr Farage. It can field candidates in any English, Scottish, Welsh or European Union election.
Brexit Party founder Catherine Blaiklock (Photo: www.catherineblaiklock.co.uk)
The party has, so far, attracted former Ukip candidates including Mr Farage and Paul Nuttall but its constitution makes clear it wants to appeal to disaffected Conservative members.
Just two months after its founding the party is mired in controversy.
Ms Blaiklock resigned from the party on Wednesday after deleted anti-Islam Twitter messages were discovered. They were sent before she became leader of the party.
She claimed Islam was a threat to most of society, was "incompatible with liberal democracy" and a submission "mostly to raping men".
It is understood she took the decision to stand down in response to journalists discovering the comments online.
In a resignation statement, Ms Blaiklock said her role had been successful in "working with Nigel Farage … to set the party up and register it with the Electoral Commission".
She added: "The out-of-character comments that I made on social media some time ago were unacceptable in tone and content.
"After speaking to Nigel Farage, I realise that my comments fall well short of what is expected in any walk of life.
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