UKIP leader Nigel Farage confirms he will NOT stand in Newark by-election

Although he admitted that he was 'tempted to stand', the UKIP leader said that he does not want any distractions from next month’s European election

17:06 30 April 2014

Following Tory minister Patrick Mercer’s decision to quit over a cash-for-question scandal, UKIP leader Niger Farage has announced that he will not stand in the Newark by-election. 

 

Although he admitted that he was ‘tempted to stand’ he said that he does not want distractions from the party’s campaign for next month’s European elections. 

 

He said: "I don't want to do anything that deflects from the European election campaign, so I am not going to stand in this by-election.

 

"I want to focus the next three weeks on winning the European elections."

 

"There is a much bigger prize than the Newark by-election and that is the general election in 2015."

 

Mercer had resigned after learning that he was facing a 6-month suspension from Westminster. This followed the allegation that he tabled Commons questions and offered a Westminster security pass after signing a deal that paid him £4,000 for seeking the readmission of Fiji to the Commonwealth.

 

The six-month penalty was agreed by the Commons standards committee.

 

A Conservative spokesman said: "We agree that Patrick Mercer needs to stand down and that there should be a by-election so the people of Newark can have a new MP."