Nigel Farage has described the attention over his new moustache as “just hilarious” and revealed he may return as Ukip leader if Brexit is not delivered.
The eurosceptic caused a stir on Friday when video surfaced of him being interviewed while sporting bushy whiskers, but the MEP credited the social media storm that followed to a slow news day.
“I don’t know whether it is a reflection of the trivialisation of our political discourse in this country or whether it is just a symptom of the fact it is mid-August and no one has anything else to talk about,” he told the Sunday Times.
He denied it was inspired by former Tory MP Enoch Powell, known for his anti-immigration “Rivers of Blood” speech.
“I just had a few days off and it is August,” Farage said. “It is a very good dummy run.”
The former Ukip leader has been enjoying a break from politics after tasting victory with the Brexit vote but he would not rule out returning to his old job.
Farage has quit and returned once before, in the space of a few days, following the 2015 General Election.
“If Brexit wasn’t delivered, then I would have to think seriously about plunging back in,” he said. “But I hope I don’t have to.”
Meanwhile, he revealed he felt sorry for David Cameron when he was forced to resign as prime minister after the referendum but was less sympathetic towards ex-chancellor George Osborne.
“I’d have dragged him out by the scruff of the neck,” he said.
“I thought his behaviour was despicable.”