Paul Nuttall: Theresa May's 'cynical' decision to call another general election 'driven more by the weakness of Labour'

Party leader says there is 'also the prospect of a slew of Tory held by-elections... predominantly in places where Ukip were pressing the Conservatives hard'

'We welcome the opportunity to take Ukip's positive message to the country,' Paul Nuttall says (DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukip leader Paul Nuttall has said Theresa May's decision to call for a snap general election is a "cynical decisoin driven more by the weakness of Corbyn's Labour Party rather than the good of the country."

Ms May called for a general election on 8 June, saying: "We need a general election and we need one now."

She said a strong government was needed before pushing ahead with Brexit talks with the European Union.

In a statement, Mr Nuttall said: "We welcome the opportunity to take Ukip's positive message to the country.

"However, we believe that the Prime Minister's decision to call this election is a cynical decision driven more by the weakness of Corbyn's Labour Party rather than the good of the country.

"There is also the prospect of a slew of Tory held by-elections caused by the seeming systematic breach of electoral law at the last election, predominantly in places where Ukip were pressing the Conservatives hard.

"We are in the midst of Brexit negotiations so this election will provide a perfect opportunity for the 52 per cent to vote for Ukip, the only party wholeheartedly committed to a clean quick and efficient Brexit."

Ukip donor Arron Banks has said he will run against the party's former MP Douglas Carswell in Clacton in the upcoming general election, though it is not clear which party he would represent.

Mr Banks confirmed he would stand when asked on Twitter.

He had planned to launch his own Patriotic Alliance movement on 5 May, The Guardian reports.

“Whether Banks stands as an independent, Patriotic Alliance or Ukip, those things are all up for discussion,” said Andy Wigmore, Mr Banks’ spokesman, told the paper.

He will meet with former Ukip leader Nigel Farage in the coming days to discuss whether to stand as a Ukip candidate.