UKIP split fears after Kilroy-Silk's departure

London members of the UK Independence Party were reviewing their position today following the resignation of Robert Kilroy-Silk from the party's group in Brussels.

The departure of the former TV chat show host, who will now sit as an independent, has prompted fears of a split among UKIP's membership.

One of the party's two members in the London Assembly, Damien Hockney, has made no secret of his admiration for Mr Kilroy-Silk.

Mr Kilroy-Silk walked out shortly before the it's 11-strong group of MEPs considered whether to suspend him.

His decision to quit follows months of infighting after an attempt by Mr Kilroy-Silk to wrest leadership from Roger Knapman backfired.

Mr Knapman's closest ally MEP Nigel Farage admitted the dispute had damaged the party. "It is a bad day for us. It makes UKIP weaker and it makes him weaker," he said of Mr Kilroy-Silk.

Mr Farage admitted some supporters of Mr Kilroy-Silk may now leave the party. The party has already suffered a series of defections. Earlier this week Frank Maloney, the party's London Mayoral candidate, left for the Tories.