Nigel Farage takes credit for Donald Trump winning US presidential election

Former leader says party's role in Brexit 'directly led' to Republican businessman winning White House

Nigel Farage has claimed Ukip was behind the election of Donald Trump as US President.

The former leader told supporters gathered to hear the result of the party’s leadership contest that they were the “inspiration” behind Mr Trump’s win.

He said: “The result of [the EU] referendum has certainly been pretty seismic in terms of British politics. But I think I would argue it may just have had a bit of an effect on the other side of the Atlantic.

"Normally when it comes to trends, be it social trends or political trends, over the years generally if New York catches a cold, then London sneezes.

"But in this particular amazing, transformative, and indeed in many ways revolutionary year of 2016, it is Brexit that directly led to the Establishment getting beaten on 8th November and Donald. J Trump [being] about to take the presidency. We were the inspriration behind much of that and I’m pleased for it."

Mr Farage, who supported Mr Trump at a rally during the presidential campaign and visited him soon after he was elected, was speaking shortly before North West of England MEP Paul Nuttall was announced as Ukip’s next leader.

Mr Nuttall saw off Suzanne Evans and John Rees-Evans after former leader Diane James resigned in October just 18 days into the job.