A FORMER MP candidate who stood to be leader of Ukip has quit the party, accusing it of "running out of credibility".

Phillip Broughton, who stood for election as Hartlepool MP in 2015 and 2017, said Ukip was in a "complete and utter mess" and admitted he was very "disappointed and disillusioned" with the state of British politics.

Mr Broughton also stood to be leader of UKIP in 2016 following the resignation of Nigel Farage, but missed out to Diane James, who was soon replaced by Paul Nuttall.

In a statement published on his website, Mr Broughton also confirmed he was quitting politics for good.

"After many months of consideration, I have come to the conclusion that I no longer want to be involved with Ukip or indeed with British politics anymore," he said.

"Ukip since the EU referendum has been in a state of disarray and I can’t see it recovering - the party has had no leadership, direction, strategy or narrative for its existence.

"Ukip could have been an effective opposition by broadening the message beyond Europe and immigration and by changing the tone of the party, but I am afraid Ukip has simply run out of political capital, credibility and time."

Last month, North-East MEP Jonathan Arnott quit after complaining that there was no-one good enough to lead the party.

Five Ukip councillors in Hartlepool also resigned their membership of the party so that they would not be “distracted by national party political issues”, leaving Tom Hind as the only Hartlepool Ukip councillor.

Mr Broughton added: "I am afraid the sad truth is Ukip has self-destructed since the referendum and it will not listen, change or modernise."