Raheem Kassam has suspended his campaign to become the next leader of Ukip, he has announced.

Mr Kassam, who had the backing of millionaire donor Arron Banks, said he with withdrawing because it was unlikely he would win. The journalist and commentator has come in for criticism in recent weeks. It emerged on Sunday he had called fellow leadership contender Suzanne Evans, "a wrinkly old ginger bird".

He apologised last week for having previously said Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon should should have her legs taped shut to stop her reproducing.

Mr Kassam formally launched his campaign at the Westminster Arms pub near Parliament Square earlier this week. His campaign slogan "Make Ukip great again', had echoes of US presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“As of today, I am formally suspending my campaign to be Ukip leader," Mr Kassam said in a statement. “After much consideration, I have decided not to pursue my campaign to be Ukip leader any further. This was a very difficult decision, and I want to thank everyone who supported me in the process.

“It is a decision I have not taken lightly, but following meetings this week I realised the path to victory is too narrow. I would encourage my supporters to back Peter Whittle, who I think would make a fantastic leader of the party.”

Key Faces of UKIP Show all 11 1 /11 Key Faces of UKIP Key Faces of UKIP Nigel Farage Getty Key Faces of UKIP United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Migration spokesman Steven Woolfe addresses supporters and media personnel in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP Robert Kilroy-Silk, former television presenter and newly elected member of the European Parliament for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), shows a placard against the European Constitution in front of the Houses of Parliament Getty Key Faces of UKIP Mark Reckless, Director of Policy Development addresses party members during the UK Independence Party annual conference at Doncaster Racecourse Getty Key Faces of UKIP Gerard Batten MEP poses with protesters outside parliament Creative Commons Key Faces of UKIP Diane James gives an address at the UKIP Autumn Conference in Bournemouth Getty Key Faces of UKIP Douglas Carswell MP speaks to party members and supporters during the UK Independence Party annual conference Getty Key Faces of UKIP Suzanne Evans, Deputy Party Chairman of UK Independence Party (UKIP) speaks during the launch of UKIP's election manifesto Getty Key Faces of UKIP Peter Whittle, the UK Independence Party Member of the London Assembly, is interviewed in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP MEP Mike Hookem during a visit to Concept Metal Products & Co Ltd Getty Key Faces of UKIP Paul Nuttall, Deputy Leader of the UK Independence Party speaks at a Say NO, Believe in Britain debate at Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Pool near Redruthon Getty

Mr Kassam said the top of the party was treating the race "like a coronation" and that he had faced "disgraceful treatment by the media. "When Times journalists show up at my elderly parents' house, intimidating them, I draw the line," he said.