Ukip MEP Patrick O’Flynn resigns over Tommy Robinson appointment — and joins Social Democratic party
Mr O'Flynn resigned in protest at Ukip leader Gerard Batten's decision to employ the controversial co-founder of the English Defence League - as Nigel Farage said he could quit too
A UKIP MEP sensationally quit the party last night and joined the Social Democratic party - becoming its first elected official since 1992.
Patrick O'Flynn resigned in protest at Ukip leader Gerard Batten's decision to employ the controversial co-founder of the English Defence League Tommy Robinson.
Nigel Farage said he could quit the party he helped found too - unless Mr Batten steps down as leader. He faces a no confidence vote on Sunday.
Mr Farage said Ukip “will basically become the BNP” if Mr Batten remains as leader and presses ahead with his plan to bring Mr Robinson into the fold.
Mr Farage denounced Mr Robinson as a "thug" yesterday.
Mr O’Flynn’s defection yesterday means Ukip has lost 10 of its 24 MEPs elected in 2014.
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The East of England MEP said that under Mr Batten the party had become "an impediment to the Brexit campaigning that I have energetically pursued for many years".
Mr O’Flynn, a former political editor of the Daily Express, attacked the decision to employ Mr Robinson, suggesting the Ukip leader had "an apparent and growing fixation" with the co-founder of the English Defence League.
Announcing his decision to join the SDP and become its sole MEP, he said: "I have decided to join the resurgent SDP, which campaigned for Brexit during the referendum and espouses broad and moderate pro-nation state political values that I - and I believe many of our voters from 2014 - will be delighted to endorse."
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