Ukip MEP stands down amid Nigel Farage row

Ukip MEP Patrick O’Flynn has stepped down as the party’s economic spokesman and apologised to leader Nigel Farage for publicly calling him “snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive”.

The former journalist told colleagues he felt “sincere regret” for giving a hostile newspaper interview amid controversy within the ranks over Farage continuing in his role despite promising to quit if he failed to win a Commons seat.

After announcing that he was tendering his resignation as leader, the party’s executive rejected it.