Raheem Kassam, senior adviser to Nigel Farage, has not been ‘sacked’ from Ukip after all. It was reported earlier this afternoon that he had left the party today — as Patrick O’Flynn appeared to be asking for. But the party is being careful with its language. The party’s press office are simply saying:
‘Raheem Kassam is no longer working for Ukip’
This is technically correct: he is not ‘working’ for Ukip as he is currently on holiday in New York. Kassam has released his own statement, pointing out that he was only employed for the election campaign and his contract was due to finish at the end of the month:
‘I was GE2015 staff. My contract has always expired at the end of the month and I am on holiday until then. I continue to support the party under the leadership of Nigel Farage’.’
Although Kassam technically remains employed, the press office is right that he is not acutally ‘working’ at present. But the party has made it clear that Kassam’s contract will not be renewed after today’s debacle. Regardless of whether he was intending to continue working for Ukip or not, the fact that Kassam and possibly Richardson won’t be working for the party in the future after senior figures publicly demanded those around Farage should go is a definite blow to Farage’s authority. The question now is whether he can surive as leader.
This post has been updated
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