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Ukip members on the London Assembly are forming a new group after the appointment of far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson plunged their party into chaos.

Assembly member Peter Whittle last week joined other Ukip figures, including Nigel Farage, who have quit the party after former English Defence League leader was appointed as an advisor to leader Gerard Batten.

Mr Whittle’s resignation meant he and fellow Ukip member David Kurten could no longer form a group on the assembly,

To qualify as a “group” a party needs at least two members.

To remain working together, the pair who each receive a £56,000 salary from the GLA, have formed the Brexit Alliance Group.

They say it will represent Brexiteers in London.

Mr Whittle said Ukip had been “sidetracked” and was more concerned with “who is or isn’t allowed to join it” than the central issue of Brexit.

He said: “Brexit is the defining issue of our time and I was increasingly exasperated with the fact the party seemed to be nowhere to be seen on an issue where it should have been a massive opportunity.

“But it had become waylaid. I found I couldn’t see any way back from this when I finally came to my decision.”

A formal notice of the constitution of the new group has been submitted to the head of paid service at the GLA.

Mr Kurten is continuing as a Ukip member but has stood down as education spokesperson for the national party.