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The Brexit Party is facing disarray after it emerged Nigel Farage has lost a reported 20 of his own candidates - and a key donor.

The shock jock former UKIP chief is grappling with a backlash after announcing he would take on the Tories in every seat in the country unless Boris Johnson dumps his Brexit deal.

Critics claim the move could make Brexit LESS likely because it would split the Leave vote. Meanwhile Mr Farage is not standing for election himself.

Now the Daily Telegraph reports more than 20 potential candidates have quit recently, with some coming out publicly to denounce the "dangerous" strategy.

Dudley South candidate Paul Brothwood turned his back on Nigel Farage yesterday to back Tory MP Mike Wood, saying: "It feels good to be back in the Conservative family who are committed to delivering Brexit ."

And Stephen Peddie, who had been the party's pick for Tonbridge and Malling in Kent, tweeted: "I resigned as a prospective parliamentary candidate because I worried the Brexit Party was evolving from a national asset to a national threat.

(Image: Dan Rowlands / SWNS)

"This is a fantastical and dangerous strategy."

Meanwhile donor Jeffrey Hobby, whose firm Dunmoore Properties Limited handed £10,000 to the Brexit Party in May, said he believed Boris Johnson was doing a "fantastic job".

He was quoted by The Sun and other news outlets as saying: "It is a shame if Nigel Farage wants to take him on across the country, I don't think that is helpful for the Brexit Party, the Tory Party or the cause.

(Image: Dan Kitwood) (Image: Dan Kitwood)

"For the Brexit Party to field candidates across all seats seems a waste of resources and not the wisest move."

A Brexit Party spokesman did not deny the figure of more than 20 departures, but claimed it was "more to do with abuse and threats to jobs".

He added: "There has been a churn since the early summer, for a variety of reasons."

One candidate who believes she comes from the star Sirius quit the election yesterday.

Jill Hughes, who was the party's prospective candidate for Batley and Spen, also believes in "elves/fairies/mermaids/unicorns and all things elemental and otherworldly", and that her horse was reincarnated as another horse.

Despite the backlash Farage stood by his ultimatum to Boris Johnson to drop his deal yesterday as he unveiled 600 prospective candidates.

The Brexit Party leader said the “clock is ticking” with only 10 days until nominations close.