Nigel Farage has stepped down as leader of the UK Independence Party following last month's vote to leave the European Union, saying he had achieved the aim for which he came into politics.

Mr Farage, 52, has had two stints as leader of the Eurosceptic party since 2006, and announced he was quitting the post after failing to win a Commons seat in the 2015 general election, only to change his mind days later.

In a speech in London setting out UKIP's strategy for the post-referendum period, Mr Farage said: 'During the referendum campaign, I said I want my country back. What I'm saying today is I want my life back, and it begins right now.'

In a statement released by UKIP, Mr Farage said: 'The victory for the Leave side in the referendum means that my political ambition has been achieved. I came into this struggle from business because I wanted us to be a self-governing nation, not to become a career politician.

'UKIP is in a good position and will continue, with my full support, to attract a significant vote. Whilst we will now leave the European Union, the terms of our withdrawal are unclear. If there is too much backsliding by the Government and with the Labour Party detached from many of its voters then UKIP's best days may be yet to come'.