UKIP North-East MEP Jonathan Arnott has quit as the party’s General Secretary and Constitutional Affairs spokesmen out of “loyalty” to his outgoing party leader.

Mr Arnott said he can “no longer remain silent” and claims Paul Nuttall has been “badly let down” during the election campaign, including by “some of his most senior advisors”.

Mr Nuttall quit as Ukip party leader this morning after failing to pick up any seats in the General Election.

In a statement, Mr Arnott said his position was now “untenable”.

"I am saddened by his (Mr Nuttall) resignation but understand and respect his reasons for it.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his service to the Party and wish him the very best in his future, whatever that might hold for him.

“The UKIP Manifesto failed to be radical on economic issues - it watered down No Tax on Minimum Wage and it failed to truly show the advantages of Brexit and what we can achieve.

“We could have talked about replacing VAT with a fairer system, we have failed to be innovative and talk properly tough on crime, we have offered very, very little to hard-working families, and we have said nothing of any substance for parents of primary school children, when education is the number one issue for them.

“I remained silent during a General Election campaign with which I profoundly disagreed.”

“It would be improper for the General Secretary of the Party to be as blunt as I need to be,” he added.