Nigel Farage replaced by Nigel Farage

We knew Nigel Farage was odds-on to be next Ukip leader. But we didn't think his political comeback would be this quick.

Ukip announced on Monday that Nigel Farage's resignation has been rejected by his party - which means he remains leader of Ukip.

Ukip chairman Steve Crowther said in a statement:

As promised Nigel Farage tendered his official resignation as leader of Ukip to the NEC. This offer was unanimously rejected by the NEC members who produced overwhelmingly evidence that the Ukip membership did not want Nigel to go....

On that basis Mr Farage withdrew his resignation and will remain leader of Ukip. In addition the NEC recognised that the referendum campaign has already begun this week and we need our best team to fight that campaign led by Nigel. He has therefore been persuaded by the NEC to withdraw his resignation and remains leader of Ukip.

Farage had promised to stand down as Ukip leader if he did not win his bid to gain a seat in South Thanet in Thursday's general election, and made his bid for resignation on Friday.

"The consequences of me failing to secure a seat for myself in the Commons would be significant for both myself and the party," he said in his book The Purple Revolution, which was recently serialised in the Telegraph.

"It is frankly just not credible for me to continue to lead the party without a Westminster seat.

"What credibility would Ukip have in the Commons if others had to enunciate party policy in Parliament and the party leader was only allowed in as a guest? Was I supposed to brief Ukip policy from the Westminster Arms? No - if I fail to win South Thanet, it is curtains for me. I will have to step down."

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