A WORCESTERSHIRE MEP is considering a second bid to become UKIP leader after Diane James' shock resignation threw the party into turmoil.

Bill Etheridge, who represents the West Midlands in the European Parliament, is mulling over his options after Mrs James dramatically quit just 18 days in.

The 56-year-old stunned UKIP colleagues last night by citing "personal and professional" reasons for her decision, claiming she lacked the support to carry on.

The decision has shocked activists in Worcester, who pointed to her landslide victory in the battle to replace Nigel Farage.

Mr Etheridge, who stood in the September contest, said he was "very disappointed" she had stepped down, describing her statement as "peculiar".

He said: "Unfortunately Diane has stood down and the reasons for that are pretty unclear to me.

"It's rather a peculiar statement she's made because as far as I'm aware, being out here with MEPs and colleagues (in Strasbourg) we've all been ready and willing to help and support her in what she wanted to do.

"She won the election fair and square and we were all ready to back her."

He said he was not ruling out a second bid for the job, with UKIP officials yet to decide a new timetable for electing a leader.

James Goad, a former UKIP parliamentary candidate in Worcester, said: "It is strange, as Diane had a strong mandate from the membership.

"It's a shambles really and very disappointing, technically at the moment I think Nigel Farage is still leader as I don't believe she signed the forms.

"There will have to be another leadership contest and I hope Bill Etheridge goes for it because I'll be supporting him.

"When he ran last time he did an incredibly passionate speech to the Worcester branch which went down very well."

Recently Mrs James' husband was verbally abused and spat at in a central London street, with some insiders believing that played a part in her decision.

UKIP's ruling National Executive Committee is expected to hold an emergency meeting within days to choose an interim leader and agree a timetable for the second leadership election.

Bookmakers have today installed North-West England MEP Steven Woolfe - who was barred from standing to replace Mr Farage after handing nomination papers in 17 minutes late - as hot favourite, followed by Suzanne Evans who missed out on the chance to run because of a suspension which has now been lifted.

Mr Farage has today ruled out leading the party for a third time, saying: "No, I'm not coming back, I'm retired."

Mrs James is a former Conservative councillor who defected to UKIP in 2011 and is an MEP for South-East England.

She was the party's first woman leader and won the post by a huge margin after securing the backing of senior UKIP figures including Mr Farage.