A Ukip MEP who described Islam as a “death cult” has emerged as the frontrunner to be the party’s next leader if members back a vote of no confidence in Henry Bolton.

Gerard Batten has warned that Ukip will be “finished” if Mr Bolton survives the crunch vote on Saturday and senior party figures have called for Mr Batten to be appointed interim leader if the incumbent is ousted.

Ukip’s three peers have written to the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) asking for Mr Batten to be immediately appointed to the interim role in the event that Mr Bolton loses.

They also want the intention to appoint Mr Batten made public before the meeting so that members know that there will not be a “demoralising vacuum” at the top of the party if they do vote no confidence in Mr Bolton.

Ukip members from across the UK are expected to attend the emergency general meeting in Birmingham when they will be asked to either endorse or reject the NEC’s vote of no confidence.

The NEC said it had no confidence in Mr Bolton’s leadership in January in the wake of revelations about his relationship with Jo Marney, a 25-year-old model.