NORTH west MEP Paul Nuttall has been elected as leader of UKIP today, Monday.

The 39-year-old, who served as deputy leader for six years, replaces Nigel Farage after securing 62.6 per cent of support among party members.

Mr Nuttall came out on top after defeating Suzanne Evans and John Rees-Evans.

He has appointed Peter Whittle as deputy leader and Paul Oakden as party chairman.

Mr Nuttall said he wanted UKIP to replace the Labour Party “as the patriotic voice of working people.”

And he promised to put “the great back into Britain” and to hold the government’s feet to the fire to ensure “Brexit really does mean Brexit.”

He said: “We will be focusing on the issues that really matter to working class people – crime, immigration, defence and ensuring that British people are at the top of the queue in the job market.”

He pointed out that UKIP has 500 councillors all over the country and described councillors “as the gateway to Westminster and a tremendous platform on which to build.”

Mr Nuttall posted a series of tweets following the victory.

He said: "Under my leadership unity will be key – all factions must come together in a united party.

"I want to make UKIP the patriotic voice of working people.

"We in UKIP forced the Prime Minister to hold a referendum on our membership of the European Union.

"We must hold the Government's feet to the fire on leaving the EU. Brexit must mean Brexit."