HE stood down more than 300 of his party candidates – 15 in Scotland– to prevent a split in the pro-Brexit vote and yesterday Nigel Farage claimed Boris Johnson would not have achieved such a majority had he not done so.
The former Ukip leader, who has never won an election, told the BBC: “I killed the Liberal Democrats and I hurt the Labour Party.”
“I can tell you that if we had stood in every seat in the country it would have been a hung Parliament.
“That would have been a disaster.
“I was determined, in this election, we would use our influence to stop a second referendum.
“That overwhelmingly was behind our decision to stand down in 317 seats.”
Farage may take the credit for the Tories’ majority, but none of his candidates managed to secure a seat in this election.
READ MORE: General Election: Our selection of pivotal campaign moments
However, unbowed, he went on to have a fiery exchange with Michael Gove after the Tory refused to thank him for helping his own party.
Gove refused to acknowledge his assistance, despite host Emma Barnett asking him to.
“Do you want to use this opportunity to thank Nigel Farage for helping you in this election?” she asked. “Wouldn’t that be a Christmassy, charitable thing to do?
“It’s time to pay your debt.
“Look at him. He’s sat next to you ready for your thanks.”
However, Gove denied Farage the honour, and said: “The people I most want to thank are all those that helped fight for a Conservative victory at this election ... activists who worked so hard and the voters who appear to have supported us.”
Farage retorted: “Michael, I can tell you that if we had stood against you … the Liberal Democrats would have won a couple of dozen seats and I did it not because I like your deal … I did it because I want to stop a second referendum.
“I wouldn’t expect anybody in the Conservative Party to thank anybody.
“They only think about themselves.”
Farage said he did not actually think the Tories would “Get Brexit Done” and said the UK would be “trapped” for three years as he knows the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, would remain stubborn on the deal.
Farage has recently been linked with Donald Trump’s bid to remain in the White House, but would only say: “If I’m asked to help I may.”
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