Ukip's biggest donor backs former Nigel Farage aide Raheem Kassam to be next party leader

Insurance tycoon Arron Banks describes Mr Kassam as ‘the brightest candidate by a long way’

Mr Kassam quit Ukip in the summer and then rejoined the party (BBC)

A former aide to Nigel Farage who sold “Brits for Trump” T-shirts online has been backed to be the next Ukip leader by the party’s biggest donor.

Insurance tycoon Arron Banks said he was supporting Raheem Kassam for the role, declaring him “the brightest candidate by a long way”.

The backing came despite Mr Banks himself suggesting that Ukip’s former deputy leader Paul Nuttall is poised to enter the leadership race.

Another potential contender, former deputy chairman Suzanne Evans, is listed to appear on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show tomorrow, fuelling speculation she will also be on the ballot.

Mr Kassam, Mr Farage’s former chief of staff, is 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.

He said: “This is a major endorsement from someone who has been one of the driving forces behind Ukip in recent years.

“Mr Banks ploughed his personal time and money into the referendum campaign and the party, and for those wondering whether he still stood with Ukip, this is a very clear sign: he does, under a Kassam leadership.

“I'd like to thank Arron for the brave and important support, and I look forward to working with him to make Ukip great again.”

Only days ago, Mr Banks protested that Ukip had descended into “full-blown insanity” and warned that he may never give it money again.

Since October 2014 Mr Banks and Rock Services, of which he is a director, have donated more than £1.25m.

Steven Woolfe, the frontrunner in the leadership contest and Mr Banks’s preferred candidate, bowed out and left the party last Monday.

Mr Woolfe, an MEP for the North West region, branded Ukip “rotten at heart” and ungovernable without Mr Farage at the helm.

Earlier, Mr Banks said on Twitter: “I've been very impressed with Raheem's ideas, despite Paul Nuttall running I think he's the candidate to beat. He's got my support.”

The new Ukip leader will be announced on 28 November, with nominations to replace Diane James closing on October 31.