The new leader of the UK Independence Party has bragged that he could kill a badger with his "bare hands".

Henry Bolton, who took over as Ukip leader in September, made the claim when he was recently asked in an interview with the Russia Today television station whether he had taken part in any initiation rites when he took the top job.

Mr Bolton was asked about the bizarre comment when he appeared on Sky News’ Sunday with Paterson programme.

He said he had been presented by Russia Today with a number of tongue-in-cheek options for what may have taken place after he was elected and that the option of chasing a badger and strangling it was “probably most suitable for me”.

He said: “They gave me a few options, ideas for an initiation ceremony into the leadership of Ukip, and the one that was probably most suitable for me was chasing a badger across Dartmoor, capturing it and then breaking its neck with one’s bare hands which was a slightly unusual thing.

“It was a little odd.”