Ukip rival accused of wanting Nigel Farage's 'life on the line'

Comments come after accusations that Paul Nuttall is looking to remove the former leader as co-president of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group

Nigel Farage is co-president of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy, which entitles him to a security team

(EPA)

One of Ukip's leadership candidates has claimed two of his rivals wish Nigel Farage was dead and that one of them is trying to put Mr Farage in a position where his "life is on the line".

Raheem Kassam has accused rival Paul Nuttall of meeting with another MEP in an attempt to depose Mr Farage as co-president of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group of Eurosceptic parties in Brussels.

This, according to Mr Kassam in an interview with The Sunday Times, would mean Mr Farage would lose his security team.

“It means that Nigel would not have an income. It means that Nigel would not have a security team. They’re basically trying to have Nigel Farage put in a position where his life is on the line,” he said.

Mr Kassam went on to say that Mr Nuttall and the third candidate for the party's leadership, Suzanne Evans, wish Mr Farage "was dead".

The controversial Mr Kassam has received the backing of insurance tycoon and Ukip donor Arron Banks, who has declared him “the brightest candidate by a long way”.

He is Mr Farage’s former chief of staff and editor-in-chief of Breitbart London, the UK bureau of a right-wing American news and opinion website.

His Facebook profile lists an “Islamophobe of the Year” award from 2014 and he advertised “Brits for Trump” shirts which he said he had made in response to requests from friends.

In the summer, Mr Kassam quit Ukip – declaring it was full of “rag-tag, unprofessional, embarrassing people who let Nigel down at every juncture” – but he then rejoined.

Mr Nuttall has dismissed the accusation and was adamant it was “absolute nonsense”.

"There is no plot, nor any plans to depose Nigel Farage as President of the EFDD group in the European Parliament," he said.

The accusations come as all three candidates announced Mr Farage could receive a peerage if the party is given seats in the House of Lords.

The Independent was unable to reach Ms Evans, who according to The Sunday Times outrightly rejected any claims of disloyalty towards Mr Farage.

Mr Nuttall, Mr Kassam and Ms Evans, have said they will look to secure him a peerage.

"If Ukip are offered positions in the House of Lords, the first name on the list will be Nigel Farage," Mr Nuttall said.

"If Nigel wants a seat in the House of Lords, I will campaign like stink for that," Ms Evans added.

Mr Farage resigned from his position as leader of the party in July after Britain’s historic vote to leave the European Union. He returned to the post to serve as acting leader following the resignation of Diane James - who was in the position for only 18 days.