Former Ukip leader Henry Bolton has announced plans to set up a new party called OneNation.

Mr Bolton, from Folkestone, was recently ousted as leader after members backed a vote of no confidence in him over revelations about his relationship with glamour model Jo Marney.

He was the party's fourth leader in 18 months.

Explaining the need for a new party, Mr Bolton said: "There is a need for a truly professional political party that believes in Britain, that preserves our national identity, culture, heritage and confidence and talks our great nation up rather than down; a party dedicated to the full independence of the UK in all areas of law, government and public administration."

But the party has yet to register with the Electoral Commission - meaning that it has missed a deadline that would have allowed it to field candidates in May's local council elections carrying the party name.

Mr Bolton said his new party would "campaign unceasingly for our full independence from the EU", adding: "There is an urgent need for a new way of doing politics that truly involves communities."

The OneNation party's structures and management "mirror some of the changes that I sought to bring to UKIP", Mr Bolton said.

On its website, the new party says that Ukip had, until the EU referendum, been seen as just such a party “but it has sadly lost much of its credibility, influence and ability to shape national events”.

It says: “Policies are being drafted, a variety of campaigns and events are in the planning, membership will be open soon and more details will emerge over the coming days and weeks.”

It is unclear where the new party will get funding from.

Mr Bolton has previously said that he was “broke” after fighting unsuccessfully to stay as leader.

The news did not win the approval of the former Kent chairman of Ukip, Richard Palmer.

He resigned as a member in protest over the way the party’s NEC had treated Mr Bolton.

“I won’t be involved," he said. "My personal view is that it will be 'Ukip2' and there’s no need for it. But I wish him well."