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Ukip leadership favourite Steven Woolfe could take legal action if excluded Favourite for Ukip leader Steven Woolfe may take legal action if excluded
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Steven Woolfe, the Ukip leadership favourite, could take legal action if he is excluded from the contest over allegations he allowed his membership to lapse.Steven Woolfe, the Ukip leadership favourite, could take legal action if he is excluded from the contest over allegations he allowed his membership to lapse.
The MEP and migration spokesman for the party is one of five Ukip politicians to put their names forward to succeed Nigel Farage so far, with nominations closing on Sunday.The MEP and migration spokesman for the party is one of five Ukip politicians to put their names forward to succeed Nigel Farage so far, with nominations closing on Sunday.
Woolfe is the frontrunner with bookmakers and has the backing of the influential Ukip donor Arron Banks, who is close to Farage.Woolfe is the frontrunner with bookmakers and has the backing of the influential Ukip donor Arron Banks, who is close to Farage.
The other four candidates are: Lisa Duffy, a party organiser and chief of staff to Patrick O’Flynn; Jonathan Arnott, a former party general secretary who is MEP for North East England; Bill Etheridge, the West Midlands MEP; and Liz Jones, Ukip’s deputy chair in Lambeth, south London. The other four candidates are Lisa Duffy, a party organiser and chief of staff to Patrick O’Flynn; Jonathan Arnott, a former party general secretary who is MEP for North East England; Bill Etheridge, the West Midlands MEP; and Liz Jones, Ukip’s deputy chair in Lambeth, south London.
Leaked emails have revealed that Woolfe is facing an attempt to stop him getting on the ballot over questions about whether his membership lapsed for 15 months, which could disqualify him even though he is an MEP. Leaked emails have revealed that Woolfe faces an attempt to stop him getting on the ballot over questions about whether his membership lapsed for 15 months, which could disqualify him even though he is an MEP.
Related: How do you top Brexit? Ukip starts search for a new role and new leaderRelated: How do you top Brexit? Ukip starts search for a new role and new leader
Other senior Ukip figures, including Banks and the former Tory MP Mark Reckless, have been counted out of the competition because of the requirement that they have to have been members for some years.Other senior Ukip figures, including Banks and the former Tory MP Mark Reckless, have been counted out of the competition because of the requirement that they have to have been members for some years.
Woolfe’s fate will be decided by a three-person panel of Ukip’s national executive committee (NEC) on Tuesday. It is understood he could consider legal action if he is deemed ineligible to stand. Woolfe’s fate will be decided by a three-person panel of Ukip’s national executive committee (NEC) on Tuesday. It is understood he may consider legal action if he is deemed ineligible to stand.
The leadership contest was triggered when Farage stepped down after the EU referendum. But there has been persistent speculation that Farage could harbour ambitions to return, having reversed his decision to resign after the 2015 general election and having previously taken time out during the leadership of Lord Pearson. The leadership contest was triggered when Farage stepped down after the EU referendum, but there has been persistent speculation that he could harbour ambitions to return.
It was reported in the Huffington Post on Friday that the Ukip deputy treasurer Peter Jewell was seeking 50 signatures to run as a candidate, as “Nigel and others” had asked him to throw his hat into the ring in order to “hold the fort for a while”. He reversed his decision to resign after the 2015 general election having previously taken time out during the leadership of Lord Pearson.
Steve Crowther, the party’s outgoing chairman, has said any attempt to exclude Woolfe from the contest would be “ludicrous” and could place the party in “severe jeopardy”. The Huffington Post reported on Friday that Ukip’s deputy treasurer, Peter Jewell, was seeking 50 signatures to run as a candidate, as “Nigel and others” had asked him to throw his hat into the ring in order to “hold the fort for a while”.
Woolfe, who frequently highlights his background growing up on a Manchester council estate and his mixed race heritage, told the Guardian last week that he wanted to place social mobility at the heart of his campaign. He claimed this could be achieved in part by introducing grammar schools in 50 of the poorest areas of the UK. Steve Crowther, the party’s outgoing chairman, has said any attempt to exclude Woolfe from the contest would be ludicrous and could put the party in severe jeopardy.
Woolfe, who frequently highlights his childhood on a Manchester council estate and his mixed race heritage, told the Guardian last week that he wanted to put social mobility at the heart of his campaign. He claimed this could be achieved in part by introducing grammar schools in 50 of the poorest areas of the UK.
He also urged the party to stop engaging in the “politics of the sixth form college”.He also urged the party to stop engaging in the “politics of the sixth form college”.
As the nominations closed, Channel 4’s Michael Crick reported that Woolfe had failed to make the ballot but because his nomination papers were submitted late, rather than any issue with his membership.
The Guardian could not immediately reach Woolfe or Ukip for comment.