Nigel Farage, one of the most well-known proponents of the Brexit movement, has announced that he will stand down as head of the U.K. Independence Party (UKIP).



Speaking on Monday, Farage told reporters that he had "done his bit" and would stand down. He said he would continue to support the party and other independence movements in the European Union (EU).

"I have never wanted to be a career politician, my aim was to get Britain out of the EU and now I feel that I've done my bit, we couldn't have achieved more than that and so I feel it is the right time to stand down," he said.



"During the referendum campaign I said I want my country back, now I'm saying that I want my life back," he added.



Farage has led UKIP since 2006 and has resigned before, last year, before returning to lead the party which has been seen as a key source for rising anti-EU sentiment in Britain over the last few decades.

The right-wing, populist party that has campaigned for the U.K. to leave the EU and for less immigration was founded in 1993. But as leader, Farage became well-known as the outspoken, brash figurehead of the movement for U.K. independence, riling European officials on a regular basis for his anti-EU remarks in the European Parliament, where he served as an MEP.