Farage: Godfrey Bloom’s resignation from UKIP is “the right decision”

Godfrey Bloom. Photograph courtesy of Euro Realist

After a series of “gaffs” where he managed to offend both women and people with roots from across Africa, UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom has resigned from the party.

Bloom released a statement announcing that he has resigned as a UKIP MEP, and will instead sit as an independent candidate until the next election. He will, however, retain his UKIP membership.

The statements read:

I have felt for some time now that the ‘New UKIP’ is not really right for me anymore. I shall sit out my term as an independent and give my whole hearted support to Jane Collins who is almost certainly going to be the next UKIP MEP and probably a second seat yet to be decided. I shall of course retain my membership.

The news of his resignation comes after months of increasing pressure from many within UKIP, who felt that he was drawing too much attention to the negative aspects of the party, with Bloom becoming a figure of fun for those that describe UKIP as a party for xenophobics and sexists after his comments about “Bongo Bongo land” and “sluts”.

In a statement, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said:

Whilst it’s very sad that it has come to the point that Godfrey is no longer an MEP for UKIP, he has made the right decision.

He has been a hardworking and loyal MEP for UKIP, however as the party professionalizes and becomes a far more disciplined machine Godfrey has decided he no longer fits in.

He is still privately a member of UKIP but will sit as an independent MEP and will no longer be spokesman for the party. I of course wish him well as does the party at large.