In November 2018, Patrick O'Flynn resigned to join the 'rump' Social Democratic Party in protest over the party's move to the "hard right", and Louise Bours is now independent. Former leader Nigel Farage quit on 6 December 2018, as did Scottish MEP David Coburn. Another former leader Paul Nuttall quit the party the following day as did London Assembly Member Peter Whittle. It was reported that Tim Aker had also quietly quit the party earlier in 2018. Julia Reid announced her resignation from UKIP on 8 December 2018, with Jonathan Bullock following the next day. Jill Seymour, Jane Collins and Margot Parker left for the Brexit Party on 15 April 2019, with the first of those three citing the party's current direction and occupation of 'the extreme right of politics' and the second citing Batten's 'sick' defence of Carl Benjamin's rape comments. On 17 April, Jonathan Arnott and Ray Finch both defected to The Brexit Party and along with Seymour, Collins and Parker sat in the EFDD group.