Image source, AFP

Here's a recap on our breaking news...Diane James has been elected as the new leader of the UK Independence Party.

Ms James had been regarded as the favourite to succeed Nigel Farage, who quit as leader following the UK's vote to leave the EU.

The MEP for South East England is a former businesswoman and healthcare professional and has been the party's home affairs spokeswoman.

She saw off four other contenders: Bill Etheridge, Lisa Duffy, Liz Jones and Phillip Broughton.

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Diane James warns Prime Minister Theresa May that if she is watching her speech, she is watching the "party of opposition" in waiting.

She told the PM: "And Mrs May - from one grammar school girl to another - stop the faff, stop the fudge and the farce and get on with it - invoke Article 50 [the start of UK negotiations for leaving the EU]."

Dubbing those opposed to the EU quitting "Remain-iacs", she adds: "17.4 million people signed up to that, those issues, that declaration - voted to leave - that's what independence means, so don't ignore it Remain-iacs."

Ms James asserts that UKIP stands for a sovereign United Kingdom, "a UK free to make trade deals with whoever and whenever we want and yes to an immigration policy that allows entry regardless of origin to those with the skills and expertise and the social values this country wants".

Diane James says she will not imitate her predecessor or try to be "Nigel-lite". She says she might not always be as frank as Mr Farage but pledges that her party would always "get honesty" on whatever subject. 

Ms James says she believes in UKIP's values of liberty, common sense, democracy and a pragmatic approach.

But she adds: "I'm not retiring, so I may not be like Nigel as frank as I'd like to be."

New UKIP leader Diane James warns Conservatives who wanted "Brexit-lite, associated Brexit or any other concoction" that the "people's army" - the party's self-styled nickname - are ready to fight.

She said 17.4 million people voted in the EU referendum to reach out to the world and the Commonwealth for bi-lateral trade deals.

"They voted to return political control to Westminster," she adds.

Diane James says she wants UKIP to be "battle ready, race ready" for the next general election.

Here, in full, are the results of the UKIP leadership election:

Diane James MEP: 8451

Councillor Lisa Duffy: 4591

Bill Etheridge MEP: 2052

Philip Broughton: 1544

Elizabeth Jones: 1203

New UKIP leader Diane James thanks the party's membership and says she will be behind the councillors taking part in next year's local government elections

"You will have the backing of the UK Independence Party winning machine," she says.

Diane James, giving her first speech as UKIP leader, comments on the EU referendum: "The days of project fear tactics have had their day... and we're going to ensure they never rise from the political ashes again."

Diane James hugs Nigel Farage on winning UKIP's leadership, telling the party's conference: "We did it, ladies and gentlemen... and I have just done it and I'm so pleased."

She said she was "deeply honoured" to succeed Mr Farage.

Ms James beat Lisa Duffy into second place by nearly 4,000 votes. Bill Etheridge came third, Phillip Broughton fourth and Liz Jones fifth. 

Diane James is announced as the new leader of UKIP with 8,451 votes.

The build up is beginning for the announcement of who is going to replace UKIP leader Nigel Farage, who was asked by party chairman Paul Oakden to give a final bow.

"This really is a time for our party to unite and come together and support our new leader," Mr Oakden said.

The Guardian

Ben Bradshaw says, in an article for The Guardian, external, that finding his name on the leaked list of Labour MPs accused of "abusing" Corbyn is the latest example of what he believes to be "ineffective and incompetent leadership"

"This sorry episode crystallises for me, and I suspect for many of my colleagues and loyal party members, what is so dispiriting about the current leadership: a destructive combination of incompetence, deceit and menace. First, Corbyn’s office disowned the list, blaming a junior staff member for leaking it. (First rule of leadership: don’t blame the people you appoint.) Then Corbyn himself defended his list during the Sky leadership debate, external, at the same time – and without any sense of irony – as trying to portray himself as the “unity candidate” in our current leadership race."

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Image source, AP

European Council President Donald Tusk has called on EU leaders to take a "sober and brutally honest" look at the bloc's problems, in the wake of Britain's shock vote to leave the EU.

As they gathered in Bratislava for a meeting without the UK, they discussed ways to regain trust in the EU.

The meeting was not due to discuss negotiations with Britain, but will look at the future as a bloc of 27.

Officials say Mr Tusk views migration as the main issue to tackle.

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The Daily Politics

Labour MEP Sion Simon tells BBC2's Daily Politics there is a lack of clarity about what Brexit will look like.

"I don't think the British government has got the slightest idea of what it's doing ... and I don't think it's any different in the [European] Commission," he said. "It's complete chaos and blankness."

Nigel Farage has bowed out as UKIP leader, saying he has put "all of me" into the party over the past two decades and he wants "his life back".

He told activists at the party conference in Bournemouth that leading UKIP had been like a "big dipper" and it had been an amazing journey.

He said UKIP had a future fighting to ensure Brexit happened and "harvesting" votes from Labour in the north.

The party will announce Mr Farage's successor later on Friday.

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