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Nigel Farage pulls out of Brexit Party rally at last minute for emergency meeting

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The Brexit Party leader had been due to address the crowd this evening, however the audience was told Mr Farage had to travel to London “to sort out key strategic elements”. Political correspondent Michael Crick wrote on Twitter: “Nigel Farage and Richard Tice pull out of Brexit Party election rally in Willenhall, Staffordshire tonight ‘to go back to London to sort out key strategic elements’, disappointed audience is told.”

He later insisted the Brexit Party chairman, Mr Tice had not been due to attend the event. 

Mr Farage was expected to speak at the event which is being headlined by Brexit Party MEP Martin Daubney.

A Brexit Party spokesman has put the no show down to “clashing commitments in town”.

Mr Farage has undergone a turbulent last 24-hours after one of his candidates pulled out from standing at the general election at the last minute. 

Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowe withdrew from standing for the Brexit Party in Dudley North moments before Thursday’s 4pm nomination deadline passed.

Earlier today during a walkabout in Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, a raging Mr Farage hit out at Mr Lowe and said it was “disgusting behaviour” 

On the campaign trail, Mr Farage was asked if he had sanctioned Mr Lowe’s actions, he said: “No, it was disgusting behaviour.

“What he probably hasn’t told you is that he met a senior official from Number 10 in the middle of last week, somebody quite close to Boris, and this was obviously stitched up.

“If he made a decision, he went and changed course, he’s entitled to. But to let everybody else down at the eleventh hour, dreadful behaviour – shocking.”

The Brexit Party leader has offered an apology to party supporters in the constituency. 

Asked for his message for party supporters in Dudley North, Mr Farage added: “I’m sorry – we have been double-crossed, let down badly by a man who has behaved dishonestly. I’m sorry, that’s all I can say.”

In a dramatic Thursday evening, Mr Lowe revealed to Express.co.uk that he made the “very tough decision” on Wednesday as he feared his candidacy would split the Leave vote and ensure Labour candidate Melanie Dudley’s path to Westminster.

Mr Lowe said: “I saw no logic in me standing and splitting the Leave vote and letting somebody who is so politically different to me get into Westminster.”

He said he didn’t want to play a part in allowing the Labour Party, either alone or as part of a pact with the Lib Dems and SNP, to get into No10 as they “will destroy the country”.

He added: “I would be distraught if I saw a couple of ageing Marxists backed up by Momentum being given an opportunity to kill off this country for probably the next 50 years.”

The former Southampton FC chairman said he would be supporting the conservative candidate to win the seat. 

Mr Lowe also revealed he had a heated conversation with Mr Farage after details of his withdrawal emerged. 

He said: “Nigel rang me, he is very angry with me and hopefully he will over time appreciate the reasons I made the decision that I made.”

This is a developing news story more to follow. 

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