On Saturday, Ukip announced its new leader would be Richard Braine. Mr Braine claimed more than half of party’s vote to replace the former leader Gerard Batten. But following the announcement, Mr Osborne took to Twitter to mock the new chief.

He wrote: “The new leader of Ukip is called Mr Dick Braine – really.”

His post was liked by thousands of social media users and retweeted more than 600 times.

Others joined in poking fun at Mr Braine.

One wrote: “It’s no laughing matter; according to Mr Braine, his father Arthur wasn’t quite the full shilling and his mother’s nickname was Pea.”

The ballot saw Mr Braine collect 53 percent of the membership’s vote.

His closest rival was Freddy Vachha who gained 20 percent.

Ben Walker was third with former deputy leader Mike Hookem in fourth.

Mr Batten stood down from the party following Ukip’s torrid performance in the recent European election.

Following his win, Mr Braine said: “We have got a great future and we are coming back.

“I am very excited and looking forward to leadership of this party, bringing the members together and delivering better results.”

Mr Batten also supported Mr Braine’s appointment.

He was banned from trying to become leader again by the party’s national executive committee.

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