Party activists have banned Vince Munday from the party's national facebook group and this evening said the couple are no longer members.

In another twist Manchester supporters tonight accused Mr Munday of 'stealing' a screenshot of a conversation between an activist and Mrs Atkinson, in which she claims the couple were only after 'five minutes of fame.'

Manchester activists say they have reported the theft of the screenshot to the police.

Earlier this week Mrs Atkinson referred to Mr Munday's Thai wife as "a ting tong from somewhere" in an interview with BBC Southeast.

The remark met with widespread condemnation and even prompted Ukip leader Nigel Farage to apologise in person to Mr and Mrs Munday earlier this week.

However, Mr Farage's assertion Mrs Atkinson 'would not face formal sanctions' has done nothing to diffuse the row.

With the South Thanet hustings next Tuesday evening, the bust-up could not have come at a worse time for the party.

Nigel Farage is among the candidates and is widely expected to win the candidacy, yet many supporters are concerned the party's dirty linen is being washed so publicly.