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The newly-created Independent Group of MPs has applied to form a new political party called ChangeUK.

The group said it has applied to be a political party in order to stand in European elections.

MP Heidi Allen will be the group's interim leader until a permanent replacement can be chosen.

The group has submitted an application to the Electoral Commission to establish Change UK - The Independent Group.

But campaign group Change.org UK said they were seeking legal advice after claiming the political party were hijacking their brand name.

The UK will have to stage elections to the European Parliament as a condition of any further delay to Brexit.

Defeat for Prime Minister Theresa May in a vote on her Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons on Friday would greatly increase the likelihood of an application on April 12 for a long extension to the Brexit process.

In order to field candidates in the European polls, conducted on a regional proportional representation system, any group must be registered as a political party with the European Commission.

Ms Allen said: "Today marks a huge step forward on The Independent Group's journey to becoming a fully-fledged political party, so I am delighted to have been chosen as our interim leader.

"If we are to deliver on our ambition to change politics for the better, it is vital that we attract support from people from every walk of life, every political background and none.

"Coming into the House of Commons from running my manufacturing business in 2015, I have seen with my own eyes how improved our political system would be if it harnessed the diverse skills and experience of our country.

"We in Change UK, as we hope to be known, don't just dream about a fairer and better future for our country, we are determined to unleash it through hard work, passion and shared endeavour."

The Independent Group was founded by former Labour MPs Luciana Berger, Ann Coffey, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Angela Smith and Chuka Umunna on February 18. They were later joined by Labour defector Joan Ryan and ex-Tories Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen and Sarah Wollaston.

In a statement, Change.org said: "Change.org UK or @UKChange is a movement of 17 million people in the UK. We empower ordinary people to start petitions and campaign to create the change they want to see.

"Our petition starters, like Laura Coryton who ended the tampon tax and Richard Ratcliffe who is fighting for the freedom of his wife Nazanin, are disrupting the status quo of power in politics.

"Change.org UK or @UKChange as we are interchangeably known, is totally independent of party politics, always has been and always will be.

"It is said that imitation is a form of flattery. But the movement that we have built in the UK to win campaigns for ordinary people is ours - all 17 million of us. We are seeking guidance on the proposed use of our brand name by those reported to be setting up a new political party."

TIG spokesman Chuka Umunna said Change UK would aim to put forward a "substantial" number of MEP candidates with backgrounds from outside politics.

"There is clearly an appetite for an alternative to our broken politics which needs fundamental change, as shown by the disastrous Brexit process which has occurred under the watch of the two main parties," said Mr Umunna.

"A new party will shake up the two-party system and provide people with an alternative that can change our country for the better. This is what Change UK will be aiming to do at any European elections if our application for registration is accepted in time."

Earlier this month, Mr Umunna told the Standard that one of May's ministers was considering defecting.

Asked whether the current 11-strong group of MPs — nicknamed the TIGs — could double in size, he said: “I think there are a lot of MPs in both parties who are on that journey, but when they reach the destination, who knows?

“I got a very nice letter from a minister of state, actually, that suggested they were on the journey, which is quite extraordinary.”

The Independent Group supports a People's Vote on Brexit, and tabled an amendment paving the way for a second referendum last month.

After it was rejected, former Tory Anna Soubry said: "This is a betrayal of Labour Party members and voters, Labour MPs, Labour's conference policy and, most importantly, the British public.

"The Labour Party leadership are determined to deliver Brexit, which would harm our country.

"But The Independent Group will not give up. We will keep up the pressure for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal.

"We'll keep holding the Government to account and providing the real opposition our country needs. The British people deserve the final say on Brexit."

Close of nominations for any European elections will fall on April 24.