UKIP leader Nigel Farage resigns

Nigel Farage (Reuters)
Nigel Farage (Reuters)

Brexit campaigner and United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage has announced his resignation.

Mr Farage made the announcement at a press conference in London on Monday, saying he feels as if he's "done [his] bit" now that the UK has voted to leave the European Union.

"I came into politics from business because I believed that this nation should be self-governing... My aim in being in politics was to get Britain out of the European Union.

"That is what we voted for in that referendum two weeks ago. And that is why I now feel that I've done my bit."

The work has taken up a huge chunk of his life and the 52-year-old says it was beginning to take its toll on his life and on those around him.

"During the referendum campaign I was saying, 'I want my country back'. What I'm saying today is 'I want my life back'."

He says he feels like he couldn't possibly achieve more in his position and that's why he's resigning.

Mr Farage had been involved with the party since day one and while he admits he's made mistakes, he says he has no regrets as in the end, the UK voted to leave the EU.

"And that's what really matters to me," he says.

Following last year's general election Mr Farage had resigned before returning to lead the party once more. That won't happen this time, he says.

"I won't be changing my mind again, I assure you."

A new leader for the party will be in place by September but Mr Farage is refusing to speculate on who will be his successor, aside from saying they should be a Leave supporter.

"I think we should let the best man, or best woman, win."

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