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UKIP's Raheem Kassam pulls out of leadership race | UKIP's Raheem Kassam pulls out of leadership race |
(35 minutes later) | |
UK Independence Party leadership candidate Raheem Kassam has pulled out of the race just three days after the official launch of his campaign. | UK Independence Party leadership candidate Raheem Kassam has pulled out of the race just three days after the official launch of his campaign. |
The former aide to leader Nigel Farage said he was not "satisfied about the integrity of the process". | The former aide to leader Nigel Farage said he was not "satisfied about the integrity of the process". |
He added: "It is a decision I have not taken lightly, but following meetings this weekend I realised the path to victory is too narrow." | He added: "It is a decision I have not taken lightly, but following meetings this weekend I realised the path to victory is too narrow." |
Mr Kassam urged his supporters to back Peter Whittle for party leader. | Mr Kassam urged his supporters to back Peter Whittle for party leader. |
His withdrawal means there are four candidates left in the UKIP race, following the closure of nominations at midday on Monday. | His withdrawal means there are four candidates left in the UKIP race, following the closure of nominations at midday on Monday. |
They are: | They are: |
Party chairman Paul Oakden said: "I'm pleased to confirm that there were no late or rejected applications. | |
"Further information pertaining to the ballot will follow at a later date but for now, I'd like to wish all four candidates the best of luck and will join with our party's members in looking forward to a positive contest." | |
In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Mr Kassam said those at the top of UKIP were treating the contest "like a coronation", adding he was "not satisfied about the integrity of the process". | In a statement announcing his withdrawal, Mr Kassam said those at the top of UKIP were treating the contest "like a coronation", adding he was "not satisfied about the integrity of the process". |
He accused some Members of the European Parliament of using party databases to "effectively campaign against me - ostensibly against the rules". | He accused some Members of the European Parliament of using party databases to "effectively campaign against me - ostensibly against the rules". |
Mr Kassam added that he had not raised enough money to run "more than a digital campaign from SW1" and said that not to "feature at events all around the country would have made me a hypocrite, given how much I criticise the establishment for ignoring the country". | Mr Kassam added that he had not raised enough money to run "more than a digital campaign from SW1" and said that not to "feature at events all around the country would have made me a hypocrite, given how much I criticise the establishment for ignoring the country". |
He added: "I wish the UK Independence Party and whoever its new leader is all the best in ensuring Brexit happens, and in the upcoming electoral tests next year. I remain committed to the causes of the UK Independence Party, but sadly, at this campaign, it was a bridge too far for us." | He added: "I wish the UK Independence Party and whoever its new leader is all the best in ensuring Brexit happens, and in the upcoming electoral tests next year. I remain committed to the causes of the UK Independence Party, but sadly, at this campaign, it was a bridge too far for us." |
Mr Kassam launched his official campaign last Friday, portraying himself as the "Farage-ist" candidate and pledging to increase UKIP's membership to more than 100,000. | Mr Kassam launched his official campaign last Friday, portraying himself as the "Farage-ist" candidate and pledging to increase UKIP's membership to more than 100,000. |
After pulling out of the race, he said he would continue as editor-in-chief of the Breitbart London news website and would be travelling to the US to cover the conclusion of the presidential election campaign. | After pulling out of the race, he said he would continue as editor-in-chief of the Breitbart London news website and would be travelling to the US to cover the conclusion of the presidential election campaign. |
UKIP's only MP, Douglas Carswell, appeared to welcome the news that Mr Kassam had quit the race, tweeting an emoji depicting a smiley face wearing sunglasses shortly after the announcement. | UKIP's only MP, Douglas Carswell, appeared to welcome the news that Mr Kassam had quit the race, tweeting an emoji depicting a smiley face wearing sunglasses shortly after the announcement. |
Another candidate, London Assembly member David Kurten, withdrew on Sunday. | Another candidate, London Assembly member David Kurten, withdrew on Sunday. |
And Steven Woolfe quit the race and the party following an altercation with fellow MEP Mike Hookem in the European Parliament earlier this month which left him in hospital. | And Steven Woolfe quit the race and the party following an altercation with fellow MEP Mike Hookem in the European Parliament earlier this month which left him in hospital. |
Mr Farage, for whom Mr Kassam worked as chief of staff, returned to the leader's role on an interim basis after his successor, Diane James, resigned only 18 days into the job. | Mr Farage, for whom Mr Kassam worked as chief of staff, returned to the leader's role on an interim basis after his successor, Diane James, resigned only 18 days into the job. |
The result of the leadership contest is to be announced on 28 November. | The result of the leadership contest is to be announced on 28 November. |