Ukip’s treasurer will be beaming this morning, thanks to Paul Sykes. The Yorkshire millionaire — whose wealth is estimated to be over £600 million — has, according to Philip Johnson in today’s Telegraph, promised to ‘do whatever it takes’ to ensure that the party tops the polls at the 2014 European elections.
The Tories won’t be thrilled at the news; but Sykes is not a new problem, more of a recurring headache. He supported the Tories for many years; but left the party following the Maastrict Treaty, and campaigned instead for James Goldsmith. He rejoined the Tories in 2001 under William Hague before being expelled. Sykes donated £1.5 million to Ukip in 2004, and looks set to make another substantial contribution. He believes that Ukip are now the ‘only game in town’ to ensure that Britain leaves the European Union.
Sykes popped up on Radio 4’s Today programme to explain himself. He refused to say how much money he was giving Ukip, nor admit that he was aiding Ed Miliband’s path to Downing Street by splitting the right:
‘Party politics is up to them.
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