Ukip's only MP insists he will not quit as Farage accuses him of trying to split the party

Ukip's only MP Douglas Carswell has insisted he will "absolutely not" quit the party after Nigel Farage said he "really isn't doing anything for us".

Mr Farage, who has been replaced as leader of the party by Diane James, said the party has been "breaking down" behind the scenes.

Speaking on his LBC show on Saturday, he said he had been "biting my tongue" since the general election because he wanted to focus on winning the European Union referendum.

But he insisted that Mr Carswell, who defected from the Conservatives in 2014, has "done all that he can to split the party".

Nigel Farage addresses divisions in the Ukip party on his LBC radio show Credit: LBC

"I do think that Douglas Carswell needs to make a big decision. Is he going to support Diane James, is he going to support the party's aims. Is he going to go on sniping from the sidelines.

"It's no good for Ukip, and I don't think looking at him, and he doesn't look very happy, I can't believe it's very good for him either."

Nigel Farage celebrates Diane James' victory in the Ukip leadership contest. Credit: PA

But Mr Carswell and Ms James put on a show of unity as they arrived for the second day of the party's annual conference in Bournemouth.

Ms James said she was "delighted" to see Mr Carswell and he insisted she had his full support.

Douglas Carswell and Diane James shook hands and smiled as they posed for pictures. Credit: PA

Asked if he would quit the party, he replied: "Absolutely not. I'm 100% behind our new leader and behind Ukip."

"We are doing well, we've got a superb new leader and things are looking up," Mr Carswell added.