The UKIP party was dealt a blow with the collapse of the Eurosceptic group it formed in the European Parliament.
The demise of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy was brought about by the resignation of the Latvian MEP, Iveta Grigule. The reasons for her departure are not known, but she has applied to become an independent MEP.
To qualify as a group, parties must represent at least seven countries and Ms Grigule's departure had reduced the EFDD to six.
The consequence is a loss of funding and of influence for those in the group. Observers estimate that the EFDD was due to receive just over €4m in funding in 2015 - more than €80,000 for each MEP in the group.
Half of the funding usually is put into the communications budget.
Nigel Farage will have lost his position as group leader and, consequently, will have less speaking time in the parliament.
UKIP's 24 members made up half of the 48 members of the group.
They were followed by Beppe Grillo's Five Star Movement which had 17 MEPs. Other members came from the Sweden Democrats, one French independent, and MEPs from the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
