Bloom sits as independent

Godfrey Bloom talks about quitting as an UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber after his outbursts on the day of his party's annual conference.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage confirmed the "last straw" was threats made to Calendar's political correspondent Paul Brand. David Hirst reports.

The full interview with UKIP leader Nigel Farage after the controversial politician Godfrey Bloom quit as a UKIP MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber following his outbursts on the day of his party's annual conference last week.

Mr Bloom was suspended on Friday after he made offensive remarks about women, lashed out at a journalist with a brochure, and threatened Calendar's Political correspondent. He's staying on as an independent MEP and as a member of UKIP.

Mr Farage revealed that threats to Calendar's Paul Brand sealed his fate.

The leader of UKIP Nigel Farage says Godfrey Bloom's interview with Calendar's political correspondent Paul Brand sealed his fate.

Godfrey Bloom released a statement announcing that he will sit as an independent MEP but will remain a UKIP member:

The leader of the UK Independence Party has reacted angrily following the behaviour of Yorkshire and Humber MEP Godfrey Bloom at the party's annual conference.

Mr Bloom has had the whip withdrawn after calling women at the meeting in Westminster 'sluts' before hitting a journalist with a brochure. Nigel Farage says he is 'hacked off' with Mr Bloom and feels his actions have distracted attention from the party's core message.

Fellow Ukip MEP Roger Helmer has criticised Godfrey Bloom, who has had the party whip removed after calling women "sluts" at a Ukip fringe event.

Mr Helmer told Channel 4 News:

Ukip leader Nigel Farage said MEP Godfrey Bloom has ruined the party's conference after he called women "sluts".

Watch: Ukip MEP defends calling women 'sluts'

Farage told his party conference: "Increasingly over past months his statements have left us in a position where, frankly, what we stand for and what we campaign for are irrelevant.

"Because all anyone wants to know is Godfrey's latest comment, I've had very sharp words with him about it."

He added: "There is no media coverage of this conference, it's gone, it's dead, it's all about Godfrey hitting a journalist and using an unpleasant four letter word.

"We can't put up with it and I said to you earlier, we cannot have any one individual, however fun or flamboyant or entertaining or amusing they are, we cannot have any one individual destroying Ukip's national conference and that is what he's done today."

Ukip MEP Godfrey Bloom has had the party whip withdrawn pending a formal disciplinary hearing after calling a room full of female delegates sluts, chairman Steve Crowther said.

Watch: Ukip MEP defends calling women 'sluts'