Former Ukip leader Gerard Batten has been banned by his own party from standing for the leadership again.
The former MEP said the National Executive Committee had passed a motion to prevent him standing, despite his claims the party would fold without him.
Mr Batten was criticised by many, including ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage, for appointing EDL founder Tommy Robinson as an adviser.
He had stepped down in June following the party’s poor performance in the European elections, at which they gained just 3.2 per cent of the vote and no MEPs.
In 2014, they had secured 24 seats in the European Parliament.
But he made a U-turn days before nominations closed, announcing that he intended to run again.
Mr Batten’s ban leaves Mike Hookem, Gareth Bennett, Ben Walker and Helena Windsor as the nominees.
The new leader will be the party’s fifth since Mr Farage stood down in 2016.
In a poll on his Twitter, 76 per cent of respondents said Mr Batten should be allowed to stand.
His supporters criticised the move, with some saying they would be cancelling their membership because of it.
Henry Bolton, who also led the party but was swiftly sacked after a racism row involving messages sent by his partner, Jo Marney, supported Mr Batten on Twitter.
He said: “I don’t agree with your politics Gerard, and believe you conspired with members of the NEC in early 2018.
“You were happy for them to ignore the rules then and in the case of AMW.
“However, I believe you do meet the requirements of ‘good standing’ and should be able to stand.”
