English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has announced he is quitting the far-right group.
Mr Robinson, who set up the anti-Islamist organisation in 2009, said the EDL no longer represents "what I've stood for".
"When some moron lifts up his top and he's got the picture of a mosque saying 'boom' and it's all over the national newspapers it's me," he said.
"It's when I pick up my kids from school the parents are looking at me, judging me on that. And that's not what I've stood for and my decision to do this is to be true to what I stand for.
"And whilst I want to lead a revolution against Islamist ideology, I don't want to lead a revolution against Muslims," he told BBC Five Live.
"I believe that the revolution needs to come from within the Islamic community and they need to stand up. And I believe this is a step forward not a step back."
EDL co-founder Kevin Carroll is also leaving the group, Quilliam claimed Anti-extremism think tank Quilliam said in a statement that it was "proud" to reveal that Robinson and his EDL co-founder Kevin Carroll had decided to leave the organisation.
The statement added: "Having set up the EDL, infamous for its street protests, in 2009, they wish to exit this group, because they feel they can no longer keep extremist elements at bay."
In a statement released through Quilliam - which claimed to have facilitated the pair's departure - Mr Robinson said he acknowledged "the dangers of far-right extremism".
Mr Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon - confirmed the news on Twitter, posting a link to the Quilliam statement and telling his followers: "Hope people listen to my reasons."
Quilliam said it hopes to encourage "his critique of Islamism as well as his concern with far-right extremism" and called on his EDL followers as well as leaders of extreme Islamist groups to quit.
Quilliam chairman Maajid Nawaz said: "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."
Quilliam was founded in 2008 by three former members of hardline Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, which campaigns for the unification of Muslim countries under Sharia law.
It opposes Islamic extremism and has worked with government to oppose radicalization of young Muslims - but has come under fire for "smearing" moderate Muslim groups and for receiving around £1m of public money in its early days.
More details about the departures are expected to be revealed at a news conference later on Tuesday.
The EDL started in response to a demonstration by Muslim extremists as soldiers marched through Luton.
It has become infamous for marches through UK towns and cities, often marred by violence as its members clashed with opposing groups such as Unite Against Fascism.
It is unclear whether the EDL's latest protest - scheduled for October 12 in Bradford - will still go ahead.
Home Affairs Select Committee chair Keith Vaz said: "Any resignation from the EDL is welcome. Mr Robinson and Mr Carroll have previously engaged, promoted and expounded extreme views.
"Leaving the organisation is an acceptance that their opinions incite hatred and their previous actions have unnecessarily cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds."
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