Tories accuse Ukip of trying to HIJACK leader race by backing Leadsom | UK | News

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Nigel Farage has been tipped to join Leadsom's negotiating team

Ukip donor Arron Banks this weekend said his Leave.EU group would be "throwing its full weight" behind Andrea Leadsom.

Mr Banks hailed the Energy Secretary, who appeared in several TV debates, as the the "breakout star" of the referendum.

And she has refused to rule out having former Ukip leader Nigel Farage on her Brexit negotiating team if she becomes Prime Minister.

Tory MP David Jones last night accused Ukip figures of attacking Ms Leadsom's closest rival, the pro-EU Home Secretary Theresa May.

The ex-Cabinet minister said: "There is no doubt that elements of Ukip are intending to try to steal a Conservative leadership election."

Ms Leadsom, who officially launched her campaign today, has won support from Brexiteers after vowing to trigger Article 50 as soon as possible.

The Energy Secretary launched her leadership bid this morning

She would be a great choice for the country
Arron Banks

Mr Banks has said he will not bankroll Ms Leadsom's campaign, but instead use social media to build support for her.

The millionaire tweeted: "She would be a great choice for the country and not great for Ukip electorally. But it has to be country first.

"She's popular because she hasn't been a politician long, she had a proper job and didn't stab everyone in the back."

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Farage dramatically resigned as Ukip leader moments earlier

Speaking on Saturday, Mrs Leadsom said: "It's not fair to say I’m just being supported by Ukip. I'm delighted by the wide range of support."

But she dodged a question on whether Mr Farage could join her negotiating team, saying: "I do not want to get in to who would do it."

During her campaign launch speech today, she said: "I will only have my key negotiating team from the Government... I have no allegiances to Ukip."

Tory MP Bernard Jenkin has come out in favour of her campaign, hailing her as a "phenomenon" who "has all the credentials to lead Britain".

He told the Daily Express: "What we need is a fresh start leader to be Prime Minister. Andrea knows more about the EU than 95 per cent of MPs.

"As a less experienced MP she could have taken a back seat but instead she got stuck in and proved to be one of the stars of the referendum."

Tories accuse Ukip of trying to HIJACK leadership race by backing Andrea Leadsom