Businessman’s investment aids Ukip election campaign

The UK Independence Party leader refused to reveal the exact amount donated by Mr Sykes –builder of Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre – only stating it was “enough”.

Mr Farage also confirmed Ukip MEPs will have to contribute £50,000 each to the party over the course of the next five 
years, adding it was not for the European Parliament election campaign.

Mr Farage added he would also stand down “within about 12 hours” if the party did not win a single seat and Labour triumphed with a manifesto that did not automatically ensure an in/out EU referendum at the 2015 general election.

Mr Farage, appearing on BBC One’s Sunday Politics Show, was asked how much Mr Sykes had contributed to the party ahead of May’s European Parliament elections.

The Ukip MEP replied: “Believe me, he’s doing stuff. Just give it a few weeks and you will see what Paul is planning to do.”

Pressed if Mr Sykes had given any cash, the Ukip leader said: “Paul has made a substantial investment in Ukip’s May 22 campaign already.”

Mr Farage said he would 
not answer how much money the party had received from Mr Sykes, simply saying it was “enough”.

He went on: “We’re well on our way to a properly funded campaign and our big target will be the big cities and the big working vote in those communities and it’s the Labour Party votes we’re after above all.”

On the £50,000 contribution expected to be required from party MEPs, Mr Farage said: “Over the course of the next five years, yes. Not for the European campaign at all.”

He went on: “The spending limits for European elections are very much lower than they are for general elections.

“We will have a properly-funded campaign. How we raise the kind of money needed to fight a general election afterwards is another question.”

Addressing the forthcoming Euro elections, Mr Farage said the result could change Labour’s policy.

Labour leader Ed Miliband last week confirmed if his party gained power in 2015 then he would only hold a referendum if there was an attempt to transfer powers to Brussels.

He said: “What happens in those elections, very likely, will change party stance and positioning on a referendum.

The Ukip leader said the party would target marginal seats at the 2015 general election.