Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage says he wants the party to hold a vote of confidence in Gerard Batten over his appointment of Tommy Robinson, a former member of the English Defence League, as an adviser.

Mr Batten has circumvented party rules banning former members of the British National Party and the EDL from joining the party.

He defended the decision, saying: "It is not necessary for him to be a party member in order to assist me in this role. I am looking forward to working with him".

Mr Robinson will act as an adviser on prison reform and rape gangs.

Mr Farage, who remains a South East MEP, said: "It goes against all the things I did as leader to say we will talk about immigration, we will talk about the extreme forms of Islam. But, we will do it as a non-racist, non-sectarian party. This blows a hole in all of that."

"I will be writing to the National Executive Committee of the party today and urging that we have a vote of no confidence in Gerard Batten as leader. That we get rid of him.”

Speaking on the Radio 4 Today programme, he said:"We can have one last go at getting rid of somebody who as leader is dragging us in a shameful direction."

He was supported by Henry Bolton, who was ousted as Ukip leader and replaced by Mr Batten.

“I am appalled but not surprised. There needs to be a party that is pro-Brexit and that contributes in a grown up and constructive way to the debate. Ukip has moved away from that and has gone down a hard-core far-right route and in so doing is finished in that role.”