Nigel Farage is 'snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive', claims Patrick O'Flynn

Ukip's campaign director believes Mr Farage has changed from being 'cheerful, ebullient, cheeky and daring' under the influence of his advisers

Patrick O'Flynn, UKIP's economic spokesperson and MEP for the East of England (BBC)

Nigel Farage is a “snarling, thin-skinned, aggressive” man and his reappearance as the leader of Ukip leaves it looking like a “personality cult”, according to the party’s campaign director.

In a sign of the internal bickering within the party, Patrick O’Flynn, the Ukip economic spokesman and an MEP, told The Times that he believed Mr Farage had changed from being “cheerful, ebullient, cheeky, daring” under the influence of his advisers.

Mr Farage submitted his resignation following the general election, but has remained leader after the party refused to accept it.

However Mr O’Flynn said: “What’s happened since Thursday night, Friday morning has certainly laid us open to the charge that this looks like an absolutist monarchy or a personality cult.

“I don’t think that even Nigel would say it’s been the most glorious chapter of his leadership.”

He attacked “aggressive” and “inexperienced” aides who he blamed for bringing a “Tea Party, ultra-aggressive American influence” to Ukip’s campaigning.

Mr Farage, he said, should sack them and adopt “a much more consultative and consensual leadership style” instead.

While Ukip’s 12.6 per cent share of the vote was a “remarkable” achievement, Mr O’Flynn bemoaned the fact the party only took one seat.

“The team around Nigel himself need to reflect why it was that Thanet voted in a Ukip council but didn’t vote in Nigel as the MP for Thanet South,” he said.

Police have said they have found "no evidence" of electoral fraud in the Kent seat after launching an investigation yesterday.