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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Matthew Dresch

Ukip loses all its MEPs in European Parliament despite topping poll in 2014

Ukip has lost all of its MEPs in the European Parliament, despite topping the voting figures in 2014.

The pro-Leave party's support collapsed after the insurgent Brexit Party came top of the polls in England and Wales, picking up 28 MEPs.

Ukip leader Gerard Batten lost his seat in London, which he had held since 2004.

The party's YouTuber candidate Carl Benjamin, second on the party's South West regional list, also failed to get elected.

FOR LIVE UPDATES ON THE ELECTION RESULTS CLICK:  HERE

Batten previously said he had saved his party 'from oblivion' (AFP/Getty Images)
Carl Benjamin failed in his European election bid (PA)

Mr Benjamin was condemned during the campaign for comments he made about Labour MP Jess Phillips.

The 39-year-old, who styles himself online as the "Sargon of Akkad", said he "wouldn't even rape" the Labour MP and then refused to apologise for the remarks.

In the 2014 EU elections, Ukip stormed into pole position with 28 MEPs, up 11 from 2009.

However, following a series of defections, the party went into this year's elections defending only three of the seats it had won five years ago.

Nigel Farage's Brexit Party has stormed to victory (VICKIE FLORES/EPA-EFE/REX)
Tommy Robinson, who was appointed as a Ukip adviser, also failed in his election bid (PA)

The party underwent a series of leadership changes after Nigel Farage stepped down as leader in July 2016.

Ukip then had four leadership elections within eighteen months, with Diane James, Paul Nuttall, Henry Bolton and Gerard Batten serving as leaders.

Bolton was forced out after his girlfriend Jo Marney said Meghan Markle's 'seed' would 'taint the royal family'.

Results map shows Brexit Party success across UK in EU election
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