Nigel Farage backs new Brexit Party as he vows return to frontline politics
Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage has endorsed a new pro-Brexit party as he vowed a return to frontline politics if Britain doesn’t leave the EU on March 29.
The MEP for the South East was approached last week by former activists for Ukip who have applied to register the Brexit Party with the Electoral Commission.
Former Ukip economics spokeswoman Catherine Blaiklock has applied to register the new party, according to The Sun on Sunday.
The paper said that Mr Farage had been sounded out as a possible leader.
He told the paper: "This was Catherine's idea entirely - but she has done this with my full knowledge and my full support.
"If the Government goes back on its word and betrays the millions of people who voted for Brexit then we need a party prepared to stand up and fight for it.
"I'm fully prepared for Article 50 to be extended or revoked and if that happens, I will re-enter the fray."
He added that there would be a "huge public backlash" should Prime Minister Theresa May look to extend Brexit beyond March and that people would "flock" to a "real pro-Brexit party".
The 54-year-old, who led Ukip to a win in the popular vote at the 2014 European elections but has failed to win a Westminster seat in seven attempts, said he would not "stand by and do nothing" if Brexit was not delivered on March 29.
Mr Farage left the party in December, saying he was uncomfortable with the direction Ukip has taken in recent months.
He had previously called for Ukip leader Gerard Batten to be ousted after he appointed English Defence League (EDL) founder Tommy Robinson as an adviser.
