Ukip spokeswoman 'sacked' after criticising Farage

A Ukip spokeswoman has been effectively sacked from her role after criticising Nigel Farage saying he was a "very divisive" character.

Suzanne Evans, who is also Ukip deputy chairman, went on to say Mr Farage should not lead the referendum campaign to leave the European Union alone.

A leaked internal Ukip email to press office staff said Ms Evans should no longer be used as a spokesman or spoken to.

During the interview, Ms Evans suggested that Mr Farage should lead the anti-Europe campaign with other politicians and business people.

In the leaked Ukip email, the author says they are issuing a "directive" having "just spoken to Nigel" about Ms Evans' interview.

"From this moment onwards no-one employed by the Ukip press office is to have any further contact with SE," the email said.

The message stated that no interview bids were to be accepted and "she is not to be offered as an official Ukip spokesman".

It added that "no-one is to brief SE or advise her on any issue".

Ms Evans, who is the most powerful woman in Ukip, seems to have kept her position of deputy chairman.

Mr Farage has said he is "prepared" to lead the No campaign in the EU referendum - but suspects the role will go to a figure from "outside normal politics".

He has raised the prospect of an apolitical figure - such as entrepreneur James Dyson - spearheading the campaign.