UKIP's Nathan Gill not ruling himself out for UKIP leader

UKIP Wales leader Nathan Gill has told BBC Wales he is not ruling himself out of his party's UK leadership contest.

Nigel Farage is standing down as leader of his party, saying his political ambition has been achieved after the UK voted to leave the EU.

Mr Gill said the leadership contest would be an opportunity for UKIP to prove it is a "mature party".

Meanwhile, Neil Hamilton said Mr Farage should be given a peerage as the former leader has much to offer.

Mr Gill said: "I'm not ruling myself out but I'm not ruling myself in either.

"We're having a meeting of all of the MEPs and senior members of the party tonight in Strasbourg and lets wait and see exactly who is willing to fill those very big shoes."

The AM for North Wales added: "What we must not do is fall into the trap that the Conservatives have fallen into where they've pretty much got a very bad civil war going on right now.

"We've got an opportunity to prove that we're a mature party and that we can do this sensibly with some of the best people that we've got possible."

Mr Hamilton, UKIP's Assembly group leader, has ruled himself out from the contest.

He said: "It is well known that I have not always seen eye to eye with Nigel, but I salute his very significant achievements.

"Nigel Farage deserves the thanks of every Brexiteer. There would have been no referendum without him.

"He clearly has much still to offer in the continuing campaign for an independent Britain. He should be given a peerage."

Mark Reckless, UKIP AM for South Wales East and a former UKIP MP, added: "Nigel Farage's greatest achievement will always be getting a referendum to leave the EU and restore our independence. I salute his achievement."