Profile: UKIP leader Lord Pearson

In electing Lord Pearson of Rannoch as its new leader, the UK Independence Party has gone some way to rectifying that situation.

The Eton-educated insurance broker is always up for a public fight - the bigger the opponent, it seems, the better.

In his time he has declared war on, among others, Lloyd’s of London, the Home Office and Marxism.

However, the foe which has taken central billing in the 67-year-old’s cast of villains is the European Union.

‘Head and shoulders’

For years he has railed against its inefficiencies and incursions on the UK’s national sovereignty.

As leader of a party calling for withdrawal from the organisation, he should be in his element.

But he is also under some pressure.

Previous leader Nigel Farage - who stood down to contest a Westminster seat at the next general election - is a difficult act to follow.

Source:
Profile: UKIP leader Lord Pearson
bbc.co.uk