Ukip deputy leader Paul Nuttall urges party to 'do away with in-fighting'

Ukip needs to put its in-fighting behind it, the party's deputy leader has warned.

MEP Paul Nuttall, who is seen as one of the favourites to replace outgoing leader Nigel Farage, insisted the party needs to come together to take advantage of the internal strife rocking Labour.

Ukip's sole MP Douglas Carswell has a history of tension with Mr Farage, and the party has been dogged by a number of public spats over its policies and political messaging.

"If Ukip is going to move forward and make a success of itself, then we have to do away with the in-fighting.

"We have to come together. Unity is the key," Mr Nuttall told BBC Radio Four's Today programme.

Mr Nuttall insisted Ukip was needed to prevent the Government "back-sliding" on Brexit.

The deputy leader also stressed Ukip should target disgruntled Labour supporters.

"There is now a clear disconnect between the Labour Party voters and the Labour parliamentary party and I think that is something we can benefit from," he said.