Brexit Party faced a mutiny today with four MEPs – including Jacob Rees-Mogg’s sister – quitting and urging voters to back Toris at the election.
The dramatic resignations came with just a week to go before polling day – and hours before Mr Farage records a high-profile interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil.
John Longworth, the former British Chambers of Commerce chief, has delivered the crushing blow alongside Annunziata Rees-Mogg.
Lance Forman and Lucy Harris have also resigned, urging colleagues to follow their example. All four will continue to sit as independent MEPs.
Mr Longworth had the whip removed yesterday for allegedly voting in favour of Mr Johnson’s divorce package in the European Parliament.
Ms Rees-Mogg, MEP for the East Midlands and a former Tory candidate, said: ‘We need a strong Leave-supporting government to deliver the Brexit 17.4 million voted for.
‘The Conservatives are the only option for Brexit supporters and democrats alike.’
And at a press conference in Westminster this afternoon, Mr Forman said: ‘The Brexit Party’s strategy is misguided. it jeopardises the chance to become an independent country at the very time victory is in sight.’
Mr Farage said he was ‘disappointed’ and dismissed the idea that the Brexit Party was risking a Jeremy Corbyn government.
A spokesman pointed to close ties between the rebels and senior Tories – including Ms Rees-Mogg’s brother Jacob.
Meanwhile, Mr Farage’s ally Alexandra Phillips branded the quartet ‘glory hunters’ and demanded they stand down from the European Parliament.
The news will fuel fears of a complete meltdown, with deep splits over whether to go all-out against the Tories on December 12 or endorse the PM’s deal with the EU
