Nigel Farage resignation: James O'Brien questions who is now accountable for Brexit

'Now two of the three biggest beasts on that side of the argument have hung up their football boots and refused to play any more,' O'Brien says

James O’Brien has questioned who is now to be held accountable for Brexit after Nigel Farage resigned as UKIP leader and Boris Johnson ruled himself out of the race for Conservative leader.

On Monday, Mr Farage announced his decision to step down as leader of UKIP just over two weeks since 52 per cent of British voters voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum. At a speech in London, the 52-year-old said he feels he has now “done [his] bit” as his political ambition of Britain leaving the EU has been achieved.

“It has been a huge chunk of my life, doing this, and it’s not easy perhaps when you feel a degree of ownership of something to let it go. But it has come at a cost to me and perhaps to those around me,” the MEP said. “During the referendum campaign, I said I want my country back. What I’m saying today is I want my life back, and it begins right now.”

Shortly after hearing of Mr Farage’s decision, radio talk show host O’Brien questioned who will now be held accountable for the Leave vote and its aftermath. The 44-year-old noted Mr Farage, along with Mr Johnson, were two of the “biggest beasts” in the Brexit campaign yet Mr Farage has since announced his resignation and Mr Johnson distanced himself from running for Tory leadership and potential Prime Minister.

“It’s astonishing that at 10 o’clock this morning I asked you who the hell do we hold accountable for this vote to leave the European Union,” he told LBC listeners. “Boris Johnson has run off to the playroom with his nanny and now Nigel Farage has resigned as leader of Ukip.

“Accountability was the watchword in this entire Vote Leave campaign. Accountability, accountability, accountability. And now two of the three biggest beasts on that side of the argument have hung up their football boots and refused to play any more. Who do we hold accountable now if things don’t turn out to be wonderful?” he asked.

Despite being widely tipped to succeed David Cameron as Prime Minister, Mr Johnson ruled himself out of running for Tory leader last week. His decision was announced shortly after his long-running ally, justice minister Michael Gove, announced he would instead be running.

On the day of his shock announcement, Mr Johnson received criticism from Ewan McGregor who furiously hit out at the former Mayor of London by accusing him of behaving in a "spineless" manner.

The actor wrote on Twitter: “You lead this ludicrous campaign to leave the EU, win and now f*** off to let someone else clear up your mess.”