Ukip leader Paul Nuttall resigns after party vote collapses

‘We are more relevant than ever and will play the role of the ‘guard dogs of Brexit’

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall delivers his resignation speech at a press conference in Boston, east-England. Photograph: Getty Images

Fri Jun 9 2017 - 12:46

Paul Nuttall has resigned as Ukip leader after his party's woeful showing at the British general election.

The Eurosceptic party had been hoping to make gains in Thursday’s poll, with Mr Nuttall running a campaign pledging to “ensure there is no backsliding on Brexit”.

But after Ukip failed to gain a single seat in Westminster – and with Mr Nuttall coming third in Boston and Skegness – he opted to leave his position, telling reporters: “A new era must begin with a new leader.”

He said he had left the foundations for the new leader to build on and ensured that the party was “still on the pitch”.