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Bootle politician and UKIP deputy leader Paul Nuttall has been appointed to head his party’s 22 MEPs in the European Parliament.

The new job means Mr Nuttall becomes head of the British Delegation of members of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group, of which all Ukip MEPs are members.

It comes as the UK prepares for a referendum in whether the country should remain in the EU .

The 39-year-old, a previous Ukip chairman, said: “Last year British voters sent far more Ukip MEPs to the European Parliament than any other party, sending a clear message that they were fed up being run by Brussels bureaucrats.

“It is entirely because of that success, along with the nearly four million votes UKIP polled at the general election in May, that British people will finally get a referendum on our membership of the European Union.

“With that referendum due to be held by 2017, there has never been a more important time for Ukip’s voice and the voices of those we represent from across Great Britain to be heard in Brussels as we make the case to leave the EU, a case only Ukip has ever consistently campaigned upon.

“I am proud to be appointed to this role at such a historic and important time and will take it on whole-heartedly, just as my predecessor Roger did with considerable aplomb.”

The MEP who has represented the North West since 2009, replaces his East Midlands colleague Roger Helmer in the role after being appointed by his fellow Ukip MEPs.

Mr Nuttall said: “I am delighted to accept this role and look forward to carrying on Roger’s work.

“He has done a great job leading our MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg and I intend to build on that to the very best of my ability.