Ukip leader Nigel Farage has vowed to continue as party leader for a further 20 years - despite continuing in-fighting within the party over his role.

The political figure, who failed in his bid to become South Thanet MP, has faced calls to stand down and is facing recriminations over his "un-resignation."

Now he has said he wants to continue in the job for a further two decades - although the party's deputy chairman Suzanne Evans said she felt the declaration was a joke.

In a newspaper interview, Mr Farage said: "One day there will be a chance for somebody else to lead the party the way they want to but for now while I'm leader, I will do it my way."

Meanwhile, a Kent-based businessman, who has given nearly £2 million to Ukip, says he is standing by Nigel Farage and wants him to continue as leader.

Alan Bown, a retired bookmaker who made his fortune selling 17 bookmakers to Coral Racing and lives in Thanet, issued a statement saying: "I have given nearly £2 million to Ukip and first got involved because of Nigel.

"Nigel speaks for ordinary people which is why four million people voted for us last week.

"He has had the guts to talk openly about immigration and it's only because of Nigel that now everyone is talking about this subject.

"It's the first time for a 100 years that a smaller party has broken through to get 3.8 million votes to become the third largest party and this is due to Nigel's leadership.

"He has my full support."

Mr Bown paid for a series of opinion polls during the recent election campaign.

The statement comes as tensions in the party continue to rumble, with recriminations over the party's failure to win more seats at the election, including South Thanet.