Raheem Kassam pulls out of UKIP leadership race

Raheem Kassam, a former aide to Nigel Farage, has dropped out of the race to become the next leader of UKIP. In a statement, Mr Kassam said he had come to realise "the path to victory is too narrow" and urged his backers to support former London mayoral candidate Peter Whittle. Mr Kassam's announcement comes three days after he launched his campaign in a Westminster pub and with nominations for the party leadership set to close at noon.