Douglas Carswell reacts to Nigel Farage's resignation with jubilant tweet

'Well I'm pleased that he's smiling, because that's not something I've seen very often from him,' Mr Farage said in response

Nigel Farage steps down as a leader of Ukip (Rex)

Douglas Carswell has reacted to Nigel Farage's announcement he is resigning as leader of Ukip by sharing a smiling emoji with sunglasses on Twitter.

Mr Carswell, the first elected MP for Ukip, posted the "smiling face with sunglasses" emoji as Mr Farage declared he was standing aside of Ukip leader.

Mr Farage said he "couldn't possibly achieve more" during his resignation speech.

“I now feel that I’ve done my bit, that I couldn’t possibly achieve more,” he said during a speech in London.

“I won’t be changing my mind again, I assure you”.

Mr Carswell told The Spectator's Coffee House blog: "I’m inconsolable. Nigel deserves a lot of credit for getting the referendum and I wish him well."

When asked about Mr Carswell's reaction, Mr Farage said: "Well I'm pleased that he's smiling, because that's not something I've seen very often from him, so it's obviously very good news."

Last week, Mr Farage suggested his party’s only MP could be removed from the party. Speaking about the MP on LBC radio, Mr Farage said: “Why would you join a party like Ukip, with me as the leader, with our policies and manifesto, and then from almost day one of joining, disagree with everything we say or do? I find it really, really odd.”

When asked if Mr Carswell could be expelled, he said: “That will be up to the NEC to decide."