03:03
Tieng Anh Vui
English Defence League leader and founder Tommy Robinson has left the group, saying he has concerns over the "dangers of far-right extremism".
The EDL organises protests across the UK against "radical Islam".
Mr Robinson said it was still his aim to "counter Islamist ideology", although "not with violence but with better, democratic ideas".
His EDL co-leader Kevin Carroll has also announced he is leaving the group, which was formed in 2009.
The EDL has organised marches and demonstrations in several cities across the UK, which have seen sometimes violent confrontations with anti-fascism campaigners.
The decision of Mr Robinson and Mr Carroll to leave follows discussions with the Quilliam group, which describes itself as a "counter-extremism think tank".
Mr Robinson said: "I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive.
"I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas."
Quilliam said it hoped Mr Robinson would "invest his energy and commitment in countering extremism of all kinds, supporting the efforts to bring along his former followers and encouraging his critique of Islamism as well as his concern with far-right extremism".
Chairman Maajid Nawaz said: "As well as being a very positive change for the United Kingdom, this is a very proud moment for Quilliam. This represents not a change but a continuation for us, as challenging extremism of all kinds forms the basis of our work.
"We have been able to show that Britain stands together against extremism regardless of political views and hope to continue supporting Tommy and Kevin in their journey to counter Islamism and neo-Nazi extremism."
The BBC understands that no replacement has yet been chosen for Mr Robinson.
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