Gaff-prone politician Godfrey Bloom has resigned as a Ukip MEP after being suspended by party chiefs for calling women “sluts”.
He was stripped of the party whip temporarily last week following the offensive remarks and a scuffle which saw him wallop a TV journalist with a brochure.
The incidents left Ukip leader Nigel Farage furious.
Yorkshire and Humber MEP Mr Bloom said today: “I have felt for some time now that the New Ukip is not really right for me, any more perhaps than New Labour was right for Dennis Skinner.
"I shall sit out my term as an independent and give my wholehearted support to Jane Collins who is almost certainly going to be the next Ukip MEP.”
His spokeswoman said it was not clear whether he would seek re-election for a third term next May.
Mr Bloom insisted the remark was a joke but Mr Farage said the MEP had “just gone way over the line” and had distracted attention from the party’s core message.
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