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UKIP leader Paul Nuttall has resigned in humiliation after his party faced a bloodbath in the 2017 general election.

The party's vote tally was down from nearly 4million in 2015 to just over 500,000 this time as voters flooded out to both Labour and the Tories.

Even in his Brexit-backing target seat of Boston and Skegness Mr Nuttall finished a distant third behind the two main parties.

He won just 7.7% of the vote and nearly lost his deposit.

UKIP's support is now within 80,000 votes of dropping below that of the Green Party across the country. The party does not have any MPs.

The abysmal result came months after Mr Nuttall failed to win in the Stoke Central by-election in February.

(Image: PA) (Image: SWNS - LEEDS SWNS.com)

Mr Nuttall's chaotic exit - after facing a backlash even within his own party over his burqa ban - means UKIP will have its fourth leader within just one year.

Long-serving Nigel Farage gave way last September to new leader Diane James but she quit after just 18 days.

Mr Nuttall then took the helm but faced a backlash after fake claims in his name emerged that he has lost a close personal friend at Hillsborough.

Despite the catastrophic result for his party Mr Nuttall today claimed the political tide would go back in for UKIP.

(Image: Getty)

He said: "I even predict after last night that if things go the way I expect then UKIP could in 18 months' time be bigger in terms of poll rating sand members than it's ever been before

"However it will not be with me as its leader.

"I am standing down today as the leader of UKIP with immediate effect.

"That will allow the party to have a new leader in place by the conference in September."

(Image: REUTERS)

He added: "It is clear that Ukip requires a new focus, new ideas and a new energy - and it is there amongst out ranks.

"I think, regardless of the score last night, I have laid the foundations for the future in this General Election campaign but it will be for someone else to build on those."

Asked about a future role for former leader Nigel Farage, Mr Nuttall said: "If Nigel Farage wants to come back, I would be more than happy to do a job swap. I'll take his slot on LBC and he can come back as leader of Ukip."

Asked what next, Mr Nuttall replied: "What now for me? Holiday. Or if that bar is open, a pint."