United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) founding member and former leader Nigel Farage on Tuesday confirmed that he will be leaving the party over its anti-Muslim stance, ending a 25-year association with the party.
"And I, with a very heavy heart, given how much I've cared for this party, the people within it, have reached, I think, a very sad decision, certainly very sad for me, that I simply can't go on with it," The Hill quoted Farage as saying on the radio show 'Leading Britain's Conversation'.
"I don't recognise the party as being the one I helped to found and fought for all of those years. I believe the brand has been so damaged, so tarnished, that it's not able to pick up and won't be able to pick up the political opportunity that's there, staring it in the face. So with very great reluctance I have, as of now, resigned my membership with UKIP," Farage added.
An ally of United States President Donald Trump, Farage was instrumental in the push for Brexit, UK's efforts to withdraw from the European Union (EU). Having been with the UKIP since 1992, Farage became critical of the party since stepping down from its leadership.
Farage has often criticised the current UKIP leader Gerard Batten, saying he is "obsessed with the issue of Islam," along with the recently-appointed adviser and far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Referring to a march slated to take place in London on Sunday, where Batten and Robinson will speak, Farage said, "Things couldn't be better for UKIP, but unfortunately we've gone in this direction of street activism and turning a blind eye to extremist politics".
"The image that will give of what Brexit stands for is something that our enemies will use against us, for perhaps many years to come. Damaging UKIP is one thing, damaging the Brexit cause is even worse," the Member of European Parliament said.
Farage has discussed the Brexit situation with Trump, where he criticised British Prime Minister Theresa May's proposal. He recently called it "the worst deal in history".
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