Nigel Farage has dismissed criticism of his leadership saying that his accuser - Ukip's only elected member of the UK parliament - Douglas Carswell, should "put up or shut up”.
Farage rounded on Carswell who called for a "fresh face" to lead the Eurosceptic group saying the MP was “trying to sow division”.
Speaking on BBC's Radio Essex Carswell said "It's not for me to say who leader of the party is, but it's fair to say we all need to think very carefully whether or not we can build beyond the base we now got, without that change."
Carswell, who defected from the British Conservative party to win Ukip's only seat in the 2015 UK general election, said the party needed "to change gear, and change its management if it is to go to the next level."
Commentating on a recent by-election where UKIP failed to win a seat from the struggling British Labour. Carswell said "The Oldham bye-election for me said very clearly we need a fresh face."
Speaking from Brussels, where he had been commentating on UK Prime Minister David Cameron's attempts to win support for an EU renegotiation deal, Farage said," Douglas, frankly, must put up or shut up.”
In an interview with Sky News, Farage said Carswell had been, "having a go at me every single day since the general election, it’s just that he’s been doing it in private, briefing members, officials or the press, or anyone prepared to listen and I’m greatly relieved that today he’s said it in public.”
“The message is simple: we are a very strongly united party. If you look at the national executive of Ukip, the MEP group of Ukip, I’ve got terrific support within the party.
“He’s trying to sow division where none exists and to have done so today, on the very day of Mr Cameron’s humiliation here at the European summit, when we’re getting ready and gearing up for a referendum – something that Ukip has fought for 20 years– is, I think, wholly inappropriate.
Looking to diminish the impact of Carswell's assault, Farage in turn attacked David Cameron's efforts events at the European Council summit, saying "David Cameron came, saw, and got hammered. How many times can his little plans be rejected?
"All he got as a result was a meaningless two sentences in a communiqué. He was told to come back in February when I suspect he will probably get a few minor concessions."