Nuttall succeeds Farage as Ukip leader

Paul Nuttall has been elected the new leader of of the UK Independence Party (Ukip).

Nigel Farage

File image of Nigel Farage (AAP) Source: Press Association

Paul Nuttall is the new leader of the UK Independence Party, succeeding Nigel Farage, after a party vote.

Nuttall beat two other contenders in a contest to head the right-wing Eurosceptic party.

Monday's announcement follows a tumultuous period for UKIP, which played a major role in Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

Farage stepped down after the EU vote, but replacement Diane James resigned after 18 days. The favourite to replace her, Steven Woolfe, also quit after a fight with a colleague that left him hospitalised.

The party, which has just one MP in the 650-seat House of Commons, faces an uncertain future without Farage, its best-known personality. His international profile has grown because of his strong relationship with US President-elect Donald Trump.

Nuttall took 62.6 per cent of Monday's vote, beating former deputy chairwoman Suzanne Evans, and ex-soldier John Rees-Evans.

The new leader has been MEP for North West England since 2009 and has served as Ukip's chairman and deputy leader.

Born on Merseyside, he is regarded as well-placed to poach northern working-class voters from Labour.


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Source: AAP



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