Former Conservative Merton councillor and now UKIP deputy chairman Suzanne Evans is set to be replaced as head of policy as part of Nigel Farage’s clear out of alleged plotters.
Just 24 hours after UKIP’s economic spokesman Patrick O’Flynn apologised and resigned after branding the party leader ‘snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive’ Farage looks set to replace Ms Evans with former Tory MP Mark Reckless.
The pair, along with UKIP’s only MP Douglas Carswell, were alleged to have been part of a coup to oust the leader who resigned only to return three days later.
Mr Farage denied claims he was ‘purging’ the party and told BBC Radio 4 this morning: “I have other plans for what Suzanne Evans can do for UKIP.”
Ms Evans said: “It has been a great privilege to work with UKIP for the past four months to produce the 2015 General Election manifesto.
“I was delighted with the way it was received, especially by party members and supporters.
“While my contract for that work comes to an end next week, I remain in my voluntary post as Deputy Chairman.”
UKIP’s 2015 parliamentary candidate for Mitcham & Morden Richard Hilton lent his support to his beleaguered party colleague.
He said: “Personally UKIP should make Suzanne Evans the next party chairman – I think she’d do a great job building on the excellent manifesto.”
Image courtesy of BBC via YouTube, with thanks
