Ukip's interim leader has been named as Steve Crowther following Paul Nuttall's resignation over the party's dismal general election showing.

The failed North Devon parliamentary candidate came 24,000 votes behind the Conservative winner in his constituency.

He said he was "honoured" to have been asked by the party's National Executive Committee to stand in.

"I respect Paul’s decision to step down, though I regret that he has not had time to show his full potential," he said. "But this was always going to be a difficult election. We just didn't know that Mrs May was going to make such an almighty hash of it."

He added: "Ukip's presence on the political battlefield has just got a lot more critical, as those who want to thwart Brexit use this excuse to try and throw it into reverse.

"Despite the Lib Dems' total failure to recover, Nick Clegg losing his seat and his own narrow squeak, Tim Farron is already claiming that Mrs May's incompetent electioneering somehow overrides the expressed will of the people to leave the EU.

"We cannot let this happen. Ukip will now rapidly regroup, choose a new leader and get back on our horse."

He added: "We will provide the backbone for the full, proper Brexit that the people voted for last year, and which is the only way to protect this country from the impending economic meltdown in Europe, and get back control of our borders – something which is clearly long overdue."

General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Show all 7 1 /7 General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nick Clegg Picture By Darren O'Brien/Guzelian Picture Shows Former MP, Nick Clegg delivers a speech despite losing the Sheffield Hallam Seat. Labour candidate, Jared O'Mara (Front), defeats Nick Clegg to take the Sheffield Hallam seat. picture taken 08/06/2017 Darren O'Brien General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Gavin Barwell LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Gavin Barwell MP arrives at Number 10 Downing Street on October 7, 2013 in London, England. British Prime Minister David Cameron announced a Government reshuffle today. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) Getty General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Angus Robertson General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nicola Blackwood PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Alex Salmond PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Rob Wilson Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Swaine/REX (1096138i) Rob Wilson, Conservative MP for Reading Funeral of Murdered Student Asha Muneer at Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, Britain - 28 Jan 2010 Rex Features General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Ben Gummer Minister for the Cabinet Office Ben Gummer arriving at 10 Downing Street, London for the weekly cabinet meeting. PA

Ukip failed to gain any seats in the election and lost 10.8 points in vote share nationally.