Mr Farage had stepped down as leader, she said, partly because the divisions became so profound the party had ground to a halt.
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In an interview this summer, James indicated that she would take a tough line against plotters, saying: “There’s going to be no place in Ukip under my leadership for those who have sought or seek to destabilise, destroy or even obstruct what a new constitution will outline for the new governance of this party”.
Five candidates are vying to take over control of the Eurosceptics and the victor will be announced on the first day of the party’s annual conference today.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There are far too many schisms and divisions which I think at this point are irreparable”.
But in a blow to David Cameron ‘s One Nation Conservatism, she also revealed she is joining the Tories because she backs Theresa May’s plan for grammar schools.
Most recently she has been working for Welsh assembly member Nathan Gill, who sits as an independent after falling out with the leader of UKIP in Wales, former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton.
“I am now reassured by what she’s saying about Brexit, and I’m also optimistic about Britain’s future energy security because I know that she’s willing to go ahead and say “Right, let’s have exploratory drilling for shale gas”.
Outgoing deputy leader and Ukip MEP Paul Nuttall acknowledged that other members may find a “new home” with the Conservatives under Mrs May.
“People may well drift across”.
In a direct appeal to Farage, Nuttall said: “Standing down must mean standing down”. Mr Farage was “disappointed” but did not try to make him stay, he added.
Farage made the shock decision to quit as leader of the UK Independence Party following victory in the referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union. “That is a job for the new leader to do”. The party’s executive committee – branded “total amateurs” by Farage – decided that Woolfe could not stand, leading three members of the body to quit in protest.
She added: “In a party like Ukip you get very zealous and rather freakish individuals who want to play Game of Thrones – people unlikely to be elected and want steerage of the party”.
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The MEP blamed technical difficulties for the delay and supporters claimed he had been the victim of a coup led by Mr Carswell and his allies.
