The UK Independence Party is about to descend into all-out civil war

Andrew Yates / Reuters

The UK Independence Party's chief administrative body has blocked leadership hopeful Steven Woolfe from running in the contest to replace Nigel Farage.

The party's National Executive Committee (NEC) ruled by a "clear majority" on Wednesday that Woolfe was ineligible to stand as a candidate because he submitted his entry form after the Sunday deadline. 

Woolfe blamed problems with his computer for the late submission. 

Three members of the NEC resigned in protest against the decision shortly after the announcement in the first stage of what looks like could descend into an internal war. 

Woolfe was close to Farage and was tipped as the front-runner to take over as leader of the anti-EU party in September. In a lengthy statement, he said he was "extremely disappointed" by the decision and accused the NEC of not being "fit for purpose".

You can read the full statement below.

 The exclusion of Woolfe leaves  MEPs Jonathan Arnott, Bill Etheridge and Diane James, councillor Lisa Duffy and activists Phillip Broughton and Elizabeth Jones on the final ballot. 

More to follow...