The UK Independence Party has suffered a blow in the European Parliament with the collapse of its political grouping, Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy.
The withdrawal of Latvian MEP Iveta Grigule from the group means that it had to be dissolved because it no longer has members from at least seven countries.
The result is that the other 47 members of the political grouping can no longer get access to funding, entitlements to committee seats and other benefits.
The Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy grouping included Italy's Five Star movement.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage blamed Ms Grigute's departure on pressure from European Parliament President Martin Schulz and the chairman of the main centre-right EPP grouping, Manfred Weber.
Mr Farage said: "It is clear that the European Parliament does not follow its long-term practice of sharing delegation and chairmanship positions in a fair manner according to the D'Hondt system.
"If we are correct in our understanding about the events, president Schulz would be more suited to being the president of a parliament in a banana republic.
"It would seem he has exceeded his role that should apply to a neutral chairman or president of a parliament. I believe this is an example of political bias on an extraordinary scale."
