Nigel Farage ‘set to start new replacement for Ukip’ if far-right leader Anne Marie Waters is elected
The former chief has told friends he will set up a break-away party if Anne Marie Waters gets elected. And a dozen MEPs could follow him too.
NIGEL FARAGE is set to start his own new version of Ukip - if a far-right anti-Islamic candidate storms to power as the party's leader.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the former chief has told friends he will set up a break-away party if Anne Marie Waters gets elected.
Ms Waters, who founded an anti-Islam pressure group, is one of 11 people standing to become leader - and the winner will be announced at Friday's conference.
And Mr Farage is said to be angry at her claims that millions of Brits agree with her that Islam is evil.
He's told friends he is ready to set up a new movement if she wins control of the party.
Waters' candidacy has divided the party, with some members threatening to quit if she wins the race to succeed Paul Nuttall.
Former leader Mr Farage has warned Ukip will be "finished" if it goes down the road of becoming an anti-Islam party.
And the new party, which doesn't yet have a name, is said to be being set up with the support of former Ukip donor Arron Banks.
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He said last night: "If Ms Waters becomes Ukip leader, all we ask is that she gives the party a decent burial.
"The country needs an effective political movement to stop May from selling out on the Brexit which British people voted for last year."
Tthe former Ukip leader is said to have booked a room in Strasbourg for next Monday - where he could launch the new party.
Almost all of Ukip’s 20 MEPs are likely to follow Mr Farage if Ms Waters is successful, insiders told The Mail on Sunday.
He also blasted Theresa May's Brexit speech on Friday, accusing her of a "betrayal" by effectively keeping us in the EU for another two years.
Speaking to the BBC, he thundered: “She doesn’t want to leave at all and wants the current status quo to be re-badged."