Ukip faces bloody battle for control of party with Steven Woolfe and Suzanne Evans preparing to go head to head
Both hopefuls were blocked from standing in this summer's leadership election
TWO top Ukippers blocked from standing in this summer's leadership election are tonight preparing to go head to head in a bloody battle for control of the party.
Farage supporting Steven Woolfe wants to take on Labour in their northern heartlands, while southern former Tory Suzanne Evans wants to take on Theresa May’s Tories.
The pair were unable to compete in the often farcical leadership election to replace Nigel Farage due to rule breaches.
Mr Woolfe submitted his nominations 20 minutes late, while Ms. Evans was suspended for six months due to "disloyalty" to Nigel Farage.
Her ban was lifted last month meaning she could potentially run this time.
Tonight party migration spokesman Steven Woolfe became the first contender to throw their hat in the ring following the shock resignation of Diane James.
He said he would seek to appeal to voters in the North of England who were abandoning Labour and had voted for Brexit.
Even before his declaration, Mr Woolfe, who is an MEP for North West England, had been installed as clear favourite by the bookies to gain the leadership.
RELATED STORIES:
In a statement released this afternoon he paid tribute to Ms James, who said she did not "have sufficient authority, nor the full support" of Ukip MEPs and officers to reform the party.
There are also reports she left the role due to "her husband's ill health".
He said: "I would like to thank Diane James. Diane is an excellent and hard-working MEP, a great media performer and dedicated party member.
“Her decision must be respected and her commitment to the party will never be in doubt.”
But on his own ambition he added: "In the last few weeks I have thought long and hard about my political future and how I can best help build the Brexit Britain we voted for in June - a meritocratic, independent and prosperous country that stands up for the millions of people who have been ignored for too long.
"I have been enthused by the start to Theresa May's premiership.
"Her support of new grammar schools, her words on social mobility and the growing evidence that she is committed to a clean Brexit prompted me, as it did many of my friends and colleagues, to wonder whether our future was within her new Conservative Party.
"However, having watched the Prime Minister's speech on Sunday I came to the conclusion that only a strong Ukip can guarantee Brexit is delivered in full and only our party can stand up for the communities of the midlands and the north.
"We can replace Labour as the main opposition party.
“We can build on our remarkable achievements, stand up for the ignored working class and secure a radically different political landscape in Britain for a generation.
"Under my leadership, that is what we will do."
Former Tory councillor Suzanne Evans was sacked by Nigel Farage as UKIP deputy chairman earlier in the year
She is seen to represent the anti-Farage wing of the party and is a more moderate voice within the party.
Tonight she told The Sun she was considering her options and consulting with friends and colleagues about her next move.
Under plans drawn up by party bigwigs a new leader would be in place by mid-November.