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Henry Bolton elected the new leader of UKIP in shock result

Henry Bolton, who was backed by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, was confirmed as the pro-Brexit party's new leader on Friday afternoon.

  • Nigel Farage-backed candidate Henry Bolton elected new UKIP leader.
  • Bolton stood for the Liberal Democrats in the 2005 general election and has worked for the EU.
  • He promised to pressure the government into a hard Brexit.

LONDON — Henry Bolton has been elected the new leader of UKIP in a surprise result.

Bolton, who was backed by Nigel Farage, was confirmed as the pro-Brexit party's new leader at its Autumn conference in Torquay, south-west England, on Friday afternoon.

Bolton, 54, is a former police officer and served in the army. He stood for the Liberal Democrats in the 2005 general election and has stood as a candidate to be the Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent.

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Speaking immediately after the announcement, Bolton said pressuring Theresa May's government into a hard Brexit will be UKIP's "core task" under his stewardship.

He added that UKIP will fight for "a nation that is proud to be called British."

Asked to what extent he will focus on Islam, Bolton said: "Islam is of concern... There is an issue to be discussed. I abhor the rhetoric that we are at war with Islam."

On his personal website, Bolton says he will "resume Nigel Farage's legacy by restoring UKIP's relevance and authority." He was endorsed by four UKIP MEPs, including Mike Hookem, who once called Islam a "killing machine."

Farage told Channel 4's Michael Crick that he voted for Bolton, describing him as the "most competent" candidate in the running. In a tweet, Farage claimed he was "delighted" with the result and said Bolton as a "man of real substance."

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The Lion has it! Ukip's new... @ Owen Bennett

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