The video will start in 8 Cancel

What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Speculation is mounting that Nigel Farage could follow in the footsteps of Enoch Powell, joining the Democratic Unionist Party ( DUP ) in another desperate bid to be elected as an MP.

The former Ukip leader is expected to speak at a DUP fundraiser tonight in Belfast.

And millionaire Arron Banks, who bankrolled Ukip under Farage’s leadership and co-founded the Leave.EU campaign, refused to deny the pair planned to join the hardline Northern Irish party.

He told Sky News: "That’s something you’ll have to ask Nigel. We’re attending a DUP fundraiser this evening and I’m not really able to comment on that.

"But I’m sure Nigel will have comments at the dinner.

"But I think he’s mainly focused on the Brexit border issues, and I’m sure he’s going to make his feelings known."

(Image: PA)

Asked if it could be a backdoor into Parliament for the seven-times failed candidate, Mr Banks said: “All things are possible in politics. We’ve seen trump, we’ve seen all manner of things.

“I would discount nothing, I would include nothing.”

Nigel Farage later played down the speculation, saying: "I will be remaining a Ukip MEP. During the Brexit campaign I was happy to share leave platforms with Tory ministers, Labour MPs such as Kate Hoey and independents like George Galloway. Nothing will change."

A spokesman for the EFDD group in the European Parliament, of which Mr Farage is leader, denied he would be joining the DUP.

Enoch Powell secured a return to Parliament by joining the Ulster Unionists after quitting the Conservative Party following his Rivers of Blood speech.

He was elected MP for South Down in 1975, and held the seat for 13 years.

(Image: Getty Images)

Ukip’s Northern Ireland spokesman, David Jones, quit the party last night, in protest over hearing third-hand that Farage was attending the DUP event.

The evening, entitled “Brexit and Beyond”, is being hosted by DUP MPs Ian Paisley, Sammy Wilson and Paul Girvan.

Tickets cost £15.

Mr Jones said he had been “uncomfortable with issues within the party organisation over the past 18 months".

He said: "I have no concern at the DUP inviting whoever they wish to speak to them.

"But I was concerned the former leader neglected to inform the local party.

"He had also previously ignored my request to either visit or comment on the issues of the border.

"I felt this was a slight on those members, friends and volunteers who had over the years given freely of time and money to the party."

The DUP said Mr Farage was “one of a series of outside speakers over the last number of years who have been willing to share their policy perspective with our members and supporters"

Mr Farage has previously lavished praise upon DUP leader Arlene Foster, lauding her “heroic” intervention in Theresa May’s plan for a Brexit divorce deal.

Speaking on his LBC Radio show in December, he said: “What I think Mrs May banked on is that the DUP would be like her, career politicians with no principles whatsoever.

“Well, they’ve met their match with Arlene Foster and I think she’s played a heroic role over the course of the last 24 hours.”