Nigel Farage says he WON’T stand in General Election after rumours of ex-UKIP boss’ return swirled

NIGEL Farage will not stand as an MP at the election - in a huge relief for Rishi Sunak.

The leading Brexiteer decided that now is "not the right time" to push for a Westminster seat.

The Reform Party President made the call after sleeping on the decision overnight following Rishi Sunak's sudden election announcement.

His decision will be seen as a huge boost for the Tories who were fearful he could take support away from their core vote.

It also aided Boris Johnson's stonking 80-seat majority in 2019 when he decided not to stand any Brexit Party candidates.

Mr Farage, in a statement, said that he had thought "long and hard" about the decision.

He added:  "I will do my bit to help in the campaign but now is not the right time to go further than that."

He said he totally backed Reform Party leader Richard Tice and Tory defector MP Lee Anderson.

In the short statement, he added that his time would be focused on the "grassroots campaign" in the US aiding his close ally Donald Trump's bid to return to the White House.

He said the US election in November was of global significance.

Reform UK leader Richard Tice said Farage "will be helping out significantly" during the general election campaign.

The party will stand in 630 seats across England, Scotland and Wales "no ifs, not buts", he added.

Tice said: "Contrary to what all the commentators say, the likes of my good friend Lee Anderson and myself, we are going to win seats."

He hit out at high levels of net migration, establishment "experts" and the "weak, feeble politicians who have broken Britain".

The Reform leader is standing in Boston and Skegness after mulling a run in Hartlepool.