Former Tory backer makes ‘substantial investment’ in Ukip’s European elections

A multimillionaire former Tory backer has made a "substantial investment" in Ukip's euro elections campaign, Nigel Farage has said.

The UK Independence Party leader refused to reveal the exact amount donated by Paul Sykes, only stating it was "enough".

Mr Farage also confirmed Ukip MEPs will have to contribute £50,000 each to the party over the course of the next five years, adding it was not for the European Parliament election campaign.

The Observer reported yesterday the £50,000 donation requirement is contained within a draft "MEP charter", amid concerns Mr Sykes's donation had not come through.

Referendum on EU
Mr Farage added he would also stand down "within about 12 hours" if the party did not win a single seat and Labour triumphed with a manifesto that did not automatically ensure an in/out EU referendum at the 2015 general election.

Mr Farage, appearing on BBC One's Sunday Politics Show , was asked how much Mr Sykes had contributed to the party ahead of May's European Parliament elections. He replied: "Believe me, he's doing stuff. Just give it a few weeks and you will see what Paul is planning to do."

Pressed if Mr Sykes had given any cash, the Ukip leader said: “Paul has made a substantial investment in Ukip’s May 22nd campaign already.”

Urban target
Mr Farage said he would not answer how much money the party had received from Mr Sykes, adding it was "enough". He went on: "We're well on our way to a properly funded campaign and our big target will be the big cities and the big working vote in those communities and it's the Labour Party votes we're after above all."

On the £50,000 contribution from party MEPs, Mr Farage said: “Over the course of the next five years, yes. Not for the European campaign at all . . . The spending limits for European elections are very much lower than they are for general elections.

“We will have a properly funded campaign. How we raise the kind of money needed to fight a general election afterwards is another question.”

Addressing the forthcoming euro elections, Mr Farage said the result could change Labour’s policy. – (PA)