The only UKIP councillor on Great Yarmouth Borough Council has resigned from the party following a confrontation with another member outside a shop.

Chris Walch has left the party following an argument involving the party home affairs spokesman David Moreland in which Mr Walch claimed Mr Moreland said his partner looked like a stripper.

Following the row Mr Walch resigned as chairman of UKIP Great Yarmouth and after spending the weekend considering his future he has gone a step further and resigned from Ukip in the light of what he claimed was Mr Moreland’s behaviour during the confrontation.

He also cited internal squabbles and in fighting among the party’s hierarchy.

He will continue to sit as an independent councillor for the Central and Northgate Ward.

Mr Walch said: “With a lot of sadness I’m sorry to say with what’s happened over the previous week.

“I still strongly hold the values and ideas of the UKIP that I originally joined. I believe that within this area we have been let down by the internal fighting squabbling, lack of support and guidance of our so-called superiors.

“I know I was voted in as a representative of UKIP, but also to represent the people within this ward and of the borough which I still hold with great pride.”