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The Bristol branch of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) says it will disband in protest if Tommy Robinson is permitted to become a member.

The Bristol group claim the party would move “dangerously more far right” if the anti-Islam campaigner joins and could open the door to “extremists”.

Mr Robinson founded the far-right English Defence League (EDL) party in 2009 and has spoken at many anti-Islam events. He has denied holding racist or anti-semitic views.

The 35-year-old - who was released from prison last month after serving time for contempt of court - has indicated he would like to join UKIP, but party rules state former EDL and British National Party members cannot be accepted.

Speaking to the party’s National Executive Committee on Sunday (September, 9), Mr Robinson said the “British working class will be electrified” if he is allowed to join UKIP.

(Image: PA)

The decision on whether to accept Mr Robinson’s application will be made at the upcoming UKIP conference in Birmingham at the end of the month.

However, the Bristol branch say it is against welcoming the activist in to the party.

“Over the past few years UKIP has stringently sought to remove those whose views were felt to be incongruous with the political aims and objectives of UKIP in terms of Britain's association with Europe,” a UKIP Bristol spokesperson said.

“While we fully appreciate and respect the strengths of Tommy Robinson in his role as a campaigner, this should in no way be interpreted as an endorsement of his stance on anti-Islamification, which, in respect of UKIP Bristol members is regarded as Mr Robinson weaponising against the majority of Muslims and therefore wholly disproportionate and misleading.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

“Further to this our view is that should Mr Robinson be allowed to join UKIP, his membership will be seen as an open door for extremists who were previously members to rejoin, and other supporters of Mr Robinson who share his beliefs to follow."

While it is thought unlikely that party members will vote to allow Mr Robinson membership at the annual conference, the Bristol branch says it will disband if he is permitted to enter.

However, Mr Robinson appears to have the support from UKIP's leader, Gerard Batten, who has likened him to Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

The Bristol branch say Mr Batten’s views have called his leadership in to question.

“We now consider Gerard Batten's continued leadership of the party as wholly questionable in respect of him supporting Mr Robinson, as much as the strong possibility of the party leaning dangerously more far right than we are comfortable with should Mr Robinson's membership of the party be endorsed,” the Bristol spokesperson said.

“To further underline Bristol UKIP's absolute and total position on this matter, should Mr Robinson's membership of the party be accepted then we will resign from UKIP with immediate effect and the branch will be disbanded.”