Five Ukip councillors from Shepway council could quit the party after Henry Bolton was sacked as leader.

Cllr Mary Lawes, who is among the five, said she had already decided to leave the party and that the group would hold an emergency meeting to discuss dissolving the party’s Folkestone branch.

In a tweet, she said the meeting was to consider “resigning en masse” in protest at the outcome of the vote by party activists to sack Henry Bolton, who is based in Folkestone.

Cllr Dawes, who represents Folkestone Harbour ward, said the way Mr Bolton had been treated by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) was “appalling” and she had lost faith with the party she joined in 2014.

“I do think that the way the NEC behaved was absolutely appalling. I will be leaving the party and sitting as an independent, that is for certain.”

If all five Ukip Shepway councillors do decide to quit the party, it will be seen as evidence that the row over Mr Bolton could send the party into freefall.

Former Shepway Ukip councillor Susie Govett has already resigned from the party in protest at revelations about Mr Bolton’s relationship with a glamour model from Maidstone, Jo Marney.

Cllr Govett who was Mr Bolton’s press aide during his leadership campaign now sits as an independent councillor for New Romney.

In another sign that the party could see a haemorrhaging of support, a Dover councillor has also quit the party.

"I do think that the way the NEC behaved was absolutely appalling" - Cllr Mary Lawes

Ben Glayzer, of Dover District Council, announced he was leaving.

In both a Facebook posting and tweet Cllr Glayzer said: "With much sadness I announce my membership resignation from Ukip.

Meanwhile, the former leader has said he may resume his relationship with Jo Marney after losing a vote of no confidence at a special meeting of 1,500 party members.

He told Jacob Rees-Mogg on LBC: "We talked about it last night - it's a bit early to say what's going to happen in my private life."

Ms Marney tweeted that her love for Mr Bolton remained unconditional.

Mr Bolton said he was disappointed by the result but wanted to remain in politics and was considering his options.

Meanwhile, two Canterbury City councillors have also quit the party.

Cllr Geoff Wimble, who represents West Bay ward, said the party had "big problems" and he wanted Henry Bolton to be given a chance to sort the party out.

"We do not need a bunch of prima donnas sitting at the top. I do not see how the party can avoid bankruptcy. There are some huge problems."

The other city councillor is said to be Cllr David Hirst, who joined Ukip from the Conservatives.