Kilroy has caused rows at the top of UKIP

UKIP's chief whip says the issue was discussed at an "amicable" meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.

All the MEPs were worried there were splits over the party's future but believed nothing should be done to damage UKIP's long term prospects.

Ex-chatshow host Mr Kilroy-Silk says he wants to replace leader Roger Knapman, who says he is not giving way.

'Looking long term'

Wednesday's meeting in Brussels came after a fortnight of strong speculation about UKIP's future.

As it broke up Jeffrey Titford, UKIP's chief whip in the European Parliament said in a statement: "Senior members of the party had a long and amicable discussion in which on both sides, strong views were expressed.

"All those involved were however, concerned that although there were clear differences on the direction the party should take, nothing should be done to damage its long term prospects.

I could turn UKIP into a very effective, electoral fighting force Robert Kilroy-Silk

"It was therefore decided that the discussions would continue in order to arrive at a position that would be in the long term interests of the party".

Mr Knapman has hinted Mr Kilroy-Silk could face disciplinary action if he continues vying for his job.

He told the Financial Times: "I am half-way through an elected four-year term and I am not about to accept the leadership being taken over by someone who has been in the party for a few months...

"Mr Kilroy-Silk has to show that he is a team player and a period of silence from him [on the leadership issue] is required."

Senior support?

But the FT says it has seen a letter in which some members of UKIP's national executive committee, branch chairmen and members of the London Assembly question Mr Knapman's position.

The letter, written to UKIP chairman Petrina Holdsworth, says: "The only way to clear the air is for Roger to submit himself to a full vote of the membership in a leadership...

"This will give the democratic legitimacy to the party leaders that is currently lacking."

But in a notice posted on UKIP's website this week, Ms Holdsworth said there was "no vacancy" for the leadership.

An informal survey of party members suggested the "overwhelming majority support Roger Knapman's continued leadership".

Change plans

Earlier this month, Mr Kilroy-Silk claimed Mr Knapman had promised to stand down but after UKIP's showing in the European elections "liked the size of his new train set".

The former Labour MP said it was for the party to decide who they wanted as leader, although there were no mechanisms for a challenge.

"I would like to be leader of UKIP, I would regard it as a privilege and an honour, and I think I could turn it into a very effective, electoral fighting force," he told BBC's Breakfast with Frost.

He added: "What, what everybody tells me they want is for the current leader to accept the inevitable and to stand down. That's the only way it can happen."

His call for UKIP to "kill" the Tories was swiftly followed by millionaire donor Paul Sykes saying he would not fund the party's general election campaign, saying he did not want to upset the Tory "applecart".

Kent businessman Alan Bown has promised to fill any funding gap.