But despite Mr Braine leaving the party on the eve of an election, UKIP said it still intends to contest seats on December 12. Mr Braine attracted headlines after he said he was irritated by people calling him Dick Braine. The former UKIP leader launched his time as party leader by hitting back at George Osborne after the ­former Chancellor mocked his name. In his resignation letter, Mr Braine said that "from the beginning" his attempts to reform the party had been met with "pre-emptive opposition". In a statement UKIP's NEC said: "It is regrettable that our Leader has chosen to resign at such a crucial time.

Source: Daily Mirror October 30, 2019 15:37 UTC