Bill Etheridge: End UKIP leader's 'appalling' reign

Mr Batten has brought in the former English Defence League (EDL) leader – whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – to advise on rape gangs and prison reform.

Bill Etheridge, who quit UKIP over what he describes as its lurch towards anti-Islam fervour, has backed Nigel Farage's call for a vote of no confidence in Mr Batten.

Mr Farage, who stepped down as UKIP leader in September 2016, accused Mr batten of 'dragging us in a shameful direction'.

Mr Etheridge, the Libertarian Party UK's deputy chairman and a former UKIP councillor in Dudley, said: “Following Nigel Farage’s intervention, I hope UKIP members will take action to finish the appalling reign of Gerard Batten.

“His attitude and approach has made the party toxic and he has damaged Brexit by side-lining it’s biggest electoral weapon."

Mr Batten has said he 'looked forward to working with' Robinson and that he would be advising him on subjects about which 'he has great knowledge'.

On Sunday UKIP's NEC deferred a decision on allowing members to vote on Robinson joining the party.

The decision was postponed until after March 29 next year – the day the UK is due to leave the EU – with the NEC arguing the party should be focused on Brexit.

Currently, he is barred as UKIP has a blanket ban on allowing former members of the British National Party and the EDL from joining the party.

Mr Batten said: "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."

Earlier this year Robinson, 35, was jailed for 13 months for contempt of court.

His conviction was later quashed over procedural issues and the case has now been referred to the Attorney General.