Nigel Farage says he 'kept his underpants on' during moonlit swim in the English Channel

The Ukip leader went for a swim with one of Ukip's financial backers after dinner

Nigel Farage is no longer Ukip leader (EPA)

Nigel Farage says he kept his “underpants on” during a moonlit swimming session in the English Channel on his last night as Ukip leader.

The former leader, who stepped down to be replaced by MEP Diane James on Friday, confirmed that he had gone for a swim off Bournemouth beach on Thursday night.

Arron Banks, a millionare Ukip and Leave.EU donor who joined Mr Farage on the swim, had previously described the adventure as “skinny dipping”.

Mr Farage however clarified that he had not been totally naked during the episode. He said the weather at on the south coast had been “humid” and that he had taken the plunge to cool down after dinner.

The MEP added that Bournemouth beach had a narrow “tidal range” and that he judged night swimming at the resort was “quite safe”.

“Actually on the Thursday evening before the conference it was warm, humid, the thunderstorm – the dramatic lightning show – hadn't quite yet arrived and I was sitting out on the terrace overlooking what I think must be one of the most impressive beaches in the country. It's fantastic,” he said on his LBC radio programme.

“It's also very shallow, it's quite safe, it doesn't have a very big tidal range. These are all my defences that I'm getting in here to show you how rational and reasonable I am.

Mr Farage contratulates Diane James on her victory in Ukip's leadership contest (AFP/Getty Images)

“At midnight it seemed an amazingly good idea to me to go for a swim, so I did! But it wasn't skinny-dipping, I did keep my underpants on.”

Mr Farage added that he had done such things before and planned to do them again.

In a speech to conference Mr Farage said he had retired as leader in party to get his “life back” – and that he had given his campaign to take Britain out of the EU his full efforts.

Mr Farage has pledged to help and support Ms James, thought she has said he will not be looked to as a “back seat driver”.

In valedictory speech to Ukip conference Mr Farage said he would continue to attend to the European Parliament as Ukip’s group leader