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UKIP leader Diane James standing down UKIP leader Diane James standing down
(about 2 hours later)
UKIP leader Diane James is standing down from the role 18 days after she was elected.UKIP leader Diane James is standing down from the role 18 days after she was elected.
In a statement to the Times newspaper, the MEP said she would not be "formalising my recent nomination".In a statement to the Times newspaper, the MEP said she would not be "formalising my recent nomination".
The 56-year-old MEP for South East England said she did not have "sufficient authority" to see through changes which she had planned.The 56-year-old MEP for South East England said she did not have "sufficient authority" to see through changes which she had planned.
Ms James succeeded Nigel Farage on 16 September after he quit in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU.Ms James succeeded Nigel Farage on 16 September after he quit in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the EU.
UKIP chairman Paul Oakden said: "I will now look to convene an emergency meeting of our national executive committee to confirm the process for electing Diane's replacement.UKIP chairman Paul Oakden said: "I will now look to convene an emergency meeting of our national executive committee to confirm the process for electing Diane's replacement.
"Whilst the decision is unfortunate, it is one that Diane is entitled to make. We thank her for all her work as leader, and as a hard-working MEP, a role she will continue with her customary vigour.""Whilst the decision is unfortunate, it is one that Diane is entitled to make. We thank her for all her work as leader, and as a hard-working MEP, a role she will continue with her customary vigour."
A former businesswoman and healthcare professional, Ms James saw off four other leadership contenders: Lisa Duffy, Bill Etheridge, Liz Jones and Phillip Broughton.A former businesswoman and healthcare professional, Ms James saw off four other leadership contenders: Lisa Duffy, Bill Etheridge, Liz Jones and Phillip Broughton.
She won with 8,451 out of the 17,970 votes cast, ahead of Ms Duffy, who received 4,591.She won with 8,451 out of the 17,970 votes cast, ahead of Ms Duffy, who received 4,591.
In her acceptance speech, she said: "We are going to confound our critics, we are going to outwit our opponents, we are going to build on our election success that we have achieved to date and do more."In her acceptance speech, she said: "We are going to confound our critics, we are going to outwit our opponents, we are going to build on our election success that we have achieved to date and do more."
But the race to replace Mr Farage had exposed bitter divisions within the party.But the race to replace Mr Farage had exposed bitter divisions within the party.
'Personal and professional reasons'
One-time frontrunner Steven Woolfe was barred from standing after submitting his nomination papers too late, while Suzanne Evans was unable to take part as she was suspended at the time.One-time frontrunner Steven Woolfe was barred from standing after submitting his nomination papers too late, while Suzanne Evans was unable to take part as she was suspended at the time.
Ms James's decision is thought to be partly due to family commitments.Ms James's decision is thought to be partly due to family commitments.
She posted her statement to the Times on her Twitter account.She posted her statement to the Times on her Twitter account.
Analysis
By Alex Forsyth, political correspondent
Diane James took over UKIP at a time when it was beset by rifts and infighting.
There were different factions within the party that were struggling to come together and agree on its future direction.
When elected, she made a point of saying that the focus for her was on unity - the party needed to get behind her and rally around.
She wanted to make some changes about the way the party was governed, how its ruling body, the national executive committee, ran things.
Reading between the lines of her statement, it seems she does not feel she can continue do that.
Read more: UKIP turmoil returns after resignation
'Personal and professional reasons'
In her statement, she said since her election "it has become clear that I do not have sufficient authority, nor the full support of all my MEP colleagues and party officers to implement changes I believe necessary and upon which I based my campaign.In her statement, she said since her election "it has become clear that I do not have sufficient authority, nor the full support of all my MEP colleagues and party officers to implement changes I believe necessary and upon which I based my campaign.
"For personal and professional reasons therefore I will not take the election process further.""For personal and professional reasons therefore I will not take the election process further."
Saying it would be her "final media statement on the issue", Ms James added: "I will continue to concentrate fully on my activities and responsibilities as an elected UKIP Member of the European Parliament".Saying it would be her "final media statement on the issue", Ms James added: "I will continue to concentrate fully on my activities and responsibilities as an elected UKIP Member of the European Parliament".
'Radio silence'
Reports of Ms James's resignation prompted speculation that Mr Farage - UKIP leader from 2006-2009 and 2010-2016 - might return to lead the party for a third time.Reports of Ms James's resignation prompted speculation that Mr Farage - UKIP leader from 2006-2009 and 2010-2016 - might return to lead the party for a third time.
But he told the Press Association: "I'm not coming back, I'm retired".But he told the Press Association: "I'm not coming back, I'm retired".
The face of Euroscepticism in the UK for nearly two decades, he helped turn UKIP from a fringe party into the third biggest in UK politics - in terms of votes at the 2015 general election.The face of Euroscepticism in the UK for nearly two decades, he helped turn UKIP from a fringe party into the third biggest in UK politics - in terms of votes at the 2015 general election.
Announcing his decision to stand down, he said his "political ambition has been achieved".Announcing his decision to stand down, he said his "political ambition has been achieved".
'Radio silence'
UKIP's only MP Douglas Carswell said: "I'm sad and surprised. I just hope she's alright".UKIP's only MP Douglas Carswell said: "I'm sad and surprised. I just hope she's alright".
BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth said Ms James' resignation was a fresh blow for a party that has been struggling with divisions.BBC political correspondent Alex Forsyth said Ms James' resignation was a fresh blow for a party that has been struggling with divisions.
Meanwhile, a number of senior UKIP members in the East of England have told the BBC about having "nagging concerns" over the "radio silence" from Ms James's camp since her election as leader.Meanwhile, a number of senior UKIP members in the East of England have told the BBC about having "nagging concerns" over the "radio silence" from Ms James's camp since her election as leader.
They suggested that unless UKIP's national executive committee changes party rules, Lisa Duffy - who was backed by many anti-Farage supporters - "made sense" as an interim leader.They suggested that unless UKIP's national executive committee changes party rules, Lisa Duffy - who was backed by many anti-Farage supporters - "made sense" as an interim leader.