Outgoing Ukip leader Nigel Farage has been mocked on social media after “awkwardly” embracing his successor Diane James.
Mr Farage was snapped with his arms around the south-east MEP, pursing his lips towards her face.
Mrs James was pictured grimacing and seemingly pulling away from him.
Amused Twitter-users posted the picture on social media with their own witty comments.
Paul Waugh wrote:"Here's Dracula!!! Dracul-ha-ha-ha!#carryonkipping”
While comedian David Badiel added: “I feel for her. But I'm also confused about which bit of her face Nigel was aiming for.”
Mrs James saw off a challenge from local politician and former TK Maxx manager Lisa Duffy to become the party’s first female leader earlier today.
She commanded 47.4 per cent of the vote to Mrs Duffy's 25.7 per cent.
The politician, who famously came close to winning a parliamentary election from the Liberal Democrats in Eastleigh in 2013, was earmarked as the bookies' favourite in the contest.
The announcement was made at the Ukip conference in Bournemouth where Mr Farage made his departing speech following a hero’s welcome.
He said: “Today closes the chapter of what has been a very extraordinary few years. I honestly, looking back, could never really have dreamt that we would have achieved what we have.
"I have put absolutely all of me into this. I literally couldn't have worked any harder or couldn't have been more determined. In a sense, I guess it has been my life's work to try to help get this party to this point.
"I frankly don't think I could do any more. I think, folks, I've done my bit."
