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Ukip politician Suzanne Evans has revealed she is to take time out from politics after undergoing surgery for breast cancer.

The former deputy leader revealed her diagnosis on Facebook this morning.

Ms Evans underwent an operation in April, just days before Theresa May called the election, but chose to put plans to take time out of politics to recover on hold.

She went on to write the Ukip manifesto for the 2017 general election while recovering from the surgery.

(Image: REUTERS)

She wrote: “Now the election is over, I intend to take a holiday from active politics at least until the autumn.

“I am mid-way through a course of radiotherapy, started two weeks ago, and I would like to say a huge and heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone at the Royal Marsden and the Rose Centre at St George’s hospital, in London.

“I am being looked after amazingly well and feel incredibly lucky to have had my cancer diagnosed at an early stage. I expect to make a full recovery.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Ms Evans, who ran against Paul Nuttall for the Ukip leadership last year, was credited with almost single-handedly writing Ukip's manifesto.

It was a surprise to many when she did not stand for parliament, saying before the election that she would be too busy writing the party platform.