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Right-wing journalist Raheem Kassam has quit the Ukip leadership race just three days after he launched his bid in a pub.

The Trump-like former Nigel Farage aide, 30, announced his decision today with a rant at the "disgraceful" media for trying to speak to his parents.

Mr Kassam was widely criticised for his abusive outbursts on Twitter, saying Nicola Sturgeon's legs should be taped shut and telling a "blobby" teenager to "f*** off to Greggs".

But the journalist claims it is him who's suffered. He made a harassment complaint against the Times for "showing up at my elderly parents' house at dusk, intimidating them".

Dusk last week was at around 5.30pm. The Times rubbished the complaint saying it was simply "standard reporting practice".

'Farageist' candidate Mr Kassam, who launched his bid in a Westminster pub at 10.45am on Friday, was immediately forced to deny he'd lost the backing of millionaire Ukip donor Arron Banks.

(Image: Getty)

He curiously claimed he didn't have enough funds to mount a full-scale campaign despite diamond mine tycoon Mr Banks swinging behind him.

Mr Kassam wrote on Twitter: "Arron did not pull his support but I never wanted to take big cheques from singular donors. We never discussed money."

He also claimed the top of the party was treating the race like a "coronation" and MEPs had broken rules by using party databases to campaign against him.

Mr Kassam added: "It is a decision I have not taken lightly, but following meetings this weekend I realised the path to victory is too narrow."

(Image: Getty)

The 'alt-right' writer, whose slogan was "Make Ukip Great Again", urged his supporters to back fellow candidate Peter Whittle.

Nominations in the Ukip leadership race close at noon today.

As of 10am there are just four candidates - down from eight last week.

The two frontrunners are former deputy leader Paul Nuttall and former acting leader Suzanne Evans, back in the fold after a six-month suspension.

Also running are London Assembly member Mr Whittle and John Rees Evans, who once said a gay donkey tried to rape his horse.

MEP Bill Etheridge, Assembly member David Kurten and member Andrew Beadle have all pulled out.

Ukip is still fraught with in-fighting. Mr Kassam accused Ms Evans of spreading muck about him to journalists and today Ukip's MP Douglas Carswell tweeted an emoji of a man wearing shades - the same reacting he gave when Nigel Farage quit.

A spokesman for the Times said: "Last week a Times reporter had a very short, polite conversation with a family member.

"It is standard reporting practice to talk to friends and family when writing a profile about someone seeking political office."