Ukip's Paul Nuttall says ‘Let suspended Suzanne Evans stand for leadership’

The favourite to be Ukip’s new leader today said he would support any decision to allow one of his rivals back into the party to stand in the contest to succeed Nigel Farage.

Deputy leader Paul Nuttall said he would “100 per cent” back letting Suzanne Evans stand if the party’s ruling executive allows her to rejoin.

Ms Evans was accused of disloyalty in March and suspended for six months. She had previously been seen as a potential successor for Mr Farage.

Mr Nuttall, currently the bookies’ favourite, said the decision on whether Ms Evans would be allowed to run was down to the Ukip executive committee.

He told the BBC: “Suzanne is a fantastic frontwoman for the party.

“She comes across great on television, really good on radio and I hope Suzanne comes back into the party and we can move forward and take it from there. If the national executive committee say Suzanne is able to stand, then I will back them absolutely 100 per cent.”

Ms Evans has said of the top job: “I would very much like to stand.”

She won plaudits for penning Ukip’s manifesto at the general election, which saw the party’s vote share soar. She then left her policy chief role amid rumours of a rift with Mr Farage after he decided to reverse his resignation from the party’s top job.

It was then claimed that Mr Farage blocked her from becoming the party’s candidate for mayor.

Other runners for Ukip leader include immigration spokesman Steven Woolfe and MP Douglas Carswell, who tweeted a smiley face emoji when Mr Farage announced he was quitting yesterday.