Nigel Farage has confirmed he will not stand as a candidate for Reform UK at the general election, in a decision he said he "thought long and hard" about.
Putting out a statement on social media, he said he is "fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership" but he said it is "not the right time" for him to go "any further than that".
Explaining his reasoning for declining to stand as a candidate, Farage said he instead intends to help with the election campaign in the US.
The Prime Minister yesterday announced that an election will be held on July 4.
The GB News presenter said he is "fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership" but he said it is "not the right time" for him to go "any further than that".
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Farage said: "I have thought long and hard as to whether I should stand as a candidate in the upcoming general election.
"As honorary president of Reform UK, I am fully supportive of Richard Tice's leadership and urge voters to put their trust in him and Lee Anderson.
"I will do my bit to help in the campaign, but it is not the right time to go any further than that."
Giving a statement from Downing Street yesterday, Sunak called a general election for July 4
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He added: "Important though the general election is, the contest in the United States of America on November 5 has huge global significance.
"A strong America as a close ally is vital for peace and security. I intend to help with the grassroots campaign in the USA in any way that I can.
"The choice between Labour and the Conservatives is uninspiring, and only Reform have the radical agenda that is needed to end decline in this country."
Responding to his statement, a Tory spokesperson said: “It doesn’t matter who Reform have standing all it does is make a big Labour majority more likely.
“Keir Starmer wants you to vote for Reform, because he knows it will divide the Conservative vote.
“A vote for Reform means a Labour government with higher taxes, an amnesty for illegal immigration and betrayal on the EU.”
Farage last night said that he will consider his election plans overnight, saying he had made "no commitment" either way.
The former Brexit Party leader said that the election could be "the end of the Conservative Party".
Farage told GB News: "Richard Tice has got [Reform] up and running and there are 500 candidates selected and he will get more.
"The whole plan for Reform was it was a six-year plan. Fight this election and get ready for when Labour fail."
"Starmer's first cabinet will not have the confidence that Tony Blair's first had by an absolute mile.
"As for what I do, I will think about it overnight...no commitment from me either way."
He added: "The Prime Minister has chosen suicide over obliteration. They're going to lose whether they get 150 seats, or 186. I have no idea.
"They feared if they left it for six months. It could be 50 seats. It could be the end of the Conservative Party after 200 years as we know it."
The former Ukip leader said: "They deserve to lose the election. I hope they lose the election. I helped them in 2019 more than any other human being.
"The formation of the Brexit Party removed Theresa May and dropped the Tories down to nine per cent in the polls."
Giving a statement from Downing Street yesterday, Sunak called a general election for July 4, saying "now is the moment for Britain to choose its future".
Addressing the nation in the pouring rain, the Prime Minister vowed he has “never and will never leave the people of this country to face the darkest of days alone”.