Suzanne Evans new deputy chairwoman of Ukip
Suzanne Evans is the new deputy chairwoman of Ukip – after losing out on the top role.
Ms Evans, of Shrewsbury, lost out to Paul Nuttall in the party leadership vote on Monday. Her appointment as one of two deputy chairmen was announced on Twitter yesterday. It is a role she held previously from 2014 until February 2016.
She will share the role with William Dartmouth, who previously held the role before Mr Nuttall's election success.
Mr Nuttall said: "I am putting together a team of all the talents and am pleased that Suzanne has agreed to fulfil these functions.
"I am going to be harnessing her expertise in the key area of policy development after her very successful spell as head of policy, which culminated with our widely admired General Election manifesto in 2015."
Elsewhere, West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge is the party's new defence spokesman.
He said: "I am excited and it is a great honour. I'm a big believer of the phrase peace through strength."
Mr Etheridge pulled out of the UKIP leadership contest to back Mr Nuttall, a personal friend.
Speaking after the result was announced, new leader Mr Nuttall said unity is the theme his new-look party will adopt. Ms Evans said she supported his sentiments.
The new leadership contest was triggered by Diane James' decision to give up the leadership less than three weeks after being elected to replace Nigel Farage.
