Bill Etheridge: Steven Woolfe is dragging Ukip 'through the mud'

Former Ukip leadership frontrunner Mr Woolfe announced he had left the party because it had become ungovernable and was in 'a death spiral' without Nigel Farage at the helm.

His decision came in the wake of an altercation with fellow Ukip MEP Mike Hookem outside a meeting in Strasbourg, that left Mr Woolfe requiring hospital treatment.

West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge, a contender to lead the party, said: "The timing of his announcement makes it appear that he was left with little choice when he saw the way the inquiry was going.

"Steven has proved time and time again that he is a politician not blessed with good decision making skills.

"On several occasions he has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. He has made yet another poor decision here.

"He should take a break from politics and get his act together because it is clearly all a bit too much for him to cope with."

In a statement announcing his resignation, Mr Woolfe said the party could not be held together without the unifying presence of Mr Farage.

But Mr Etheridge said his comments were 'basically regurgitated stuff he has read in the papers.

"It is not good for Ukip that a high profile member has chosen to behave in this way, but as a party we can overcome this.

"The person that has come out of this most damaged is Steven Woolfe."

Ukip will announce its new leader on November 28. Declared candidates include Raheem Kassam and Peter Whittle, a London assembly member.