A SENIOR UKIP official based in Worcestershire was involved in a plot to try and become new 'interim' party leader with Nigel Farage's blessing, it has emerged.

Peter Jewell, who lives near Worcester, made a sensational attempt to throw his name into the hat amid panicky concerns not enough "suitable candidates" were putting themselves forward.

The Worcester News can reveal how Mr Jewell, who is a key ally of Mr Farage and UKIP's deputy treasurer, changed his mind over the weekend and decided it was no longer needed despite insisting he had the support to win the contest.

UKIP's application deadline for leadership contenders closed at noon yesterday, with a number of high-profile figures unable to take part due to the party's extremely stringent rules.

All candidates need backing from 50 supporters across at least 10 UKIP branches and to have held personal party membership for at least two years, ruling out scores of hopefuls.

Deputy leader Paul Nuttall, former deputy chair Suzanne Evans and UKIP's sole MP Douglas Carswell are not involved while MEP Steven Woolfe missed the deadline by 17 minutes, although the outcome of his application is still up in the air today.

Amid rising panic in Mr Farage's camp about a suitable replacement, Mr Jewell emailed party members on Thursday to say "Nigel and others" had asked him to step in as leader to "hold the fort for a while".

In the email, seen by this newspaper, he said "we are in a panic" due to Mr Woolfe missing the deadline and requested 50 signatures so he could stand as new leader and get the form in by yesterday’s deadline.

Today Mr Jewell said he'd changed his mind after popular MEP Diane James decided to stand.

He said: "At one stage there was a shortage of suitable candidates, so I took soundings and that was the plan, to put me forward as an interim.

"But it's not needed anymore and to be honest there's lots of other things I'm doing anyway.

"Could I have won? Yes, but I don't need the hassle - part of me would love to do it but I've got to be sensible."

The confirmed names of UKIP leadership contenders will be released tomorrow after being ratified by party officials.

Mr Jewell, who tried to become West Mercia's police and crime commissioner in May and also stood for parliament in Redditch last year, said he was disappointed Mr Woolfe did not move faster.

"Diane James has the political ability, I've worked with her on justice issues and I look forward to hearing what she says at the hustings," he said.

"She would be perfectly suitable. But quite honestly they have to take these things more seriously, you cannot enter on a whim.

"If you've got to catch a train at noon you don't turn up at twenty-past hoping to catch it."

Mr Woolfe blamed computer problems, saying he tried to apply at 11.35am yesterday but due to technical issues with the website only got it done at 12.17pm.

There are also claims he allowed his membership to lapse in March 2014, which could throw another spanner into the works, although the issue is still being ironed out by UKIP officers today.

Other contenders to succeed Mr Farage are thought to include Lisa Duffy, a UKIP councillor, and MEPs Jonathan Arnott and Bill Etheridge, who represents the West Midlands and last week called for a referendum on bringing back the death penalty.

The winner will be announced on 15 September.