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UKIP leader splits with partner after Meghan Markle texts | UKIP leader splits with partner after Meghan Markle texts |
(about 1 hour later) | |
UKIP leader Henry Bolton says he has ended his relationship with his girlfriend after she reportedly made racist comments about Meghan Markle. | UKIP leader Henry Bolton says he has ended his relationship with his girlfriend after she reportedly made racist comments about Meghan Markle. |
He said their romance was "obviously quite incompatible" with his role as party leader but he had no intention of resigning. | He said their romance was "obviously quite incompatible" with his role as party leader but he had no intention of resigning. |
Jo Marney had sent texts saying black people were ugly and Prince Harry's fiancee would "taint" the Royal Family. | Jo Marney had sent texts saying black people were ugly and Prince Harry's fiancee would "taint" the Royal Family. |
Mr Bolton said it was against UKIP's constitution "to be racist in any way." | Mr Bolton said it was against UKIP's constitution "to be racist in any way." |
Ms Marney apologised in the Mail on Sunday for her remarks and claimed they were taken out of context. | Ms Marney apologised in the Mail on Sunday for her remarks and claimed they were taken out of context. |
The former army officer took over as UKIP leader in September, becoming the party's fourth leader in 18 months. | The former army officer took over as UKIP leader in September, becoming the party's fourth leader in 18 months. |
Senior party members have questioned Mr Bolton's judgement, calling his private life an "unhelpful distraction". | Senior party members have questioned Mr Bolton's judgement, calling his private life an "unhelpful distraction". |
Mr Bolton told BBC Breakfast Ms Marney's comments were made "some time ago". | Mr Bolton told BBC Breakfast Ms Marney's comments were made "some time ago". |
He said they were "utterly indefensible" but there was "some context to them" which will be revealed in time. | He said they were "utterly indefensible" but there was "some context to them" which will be revealed in time. |
Mr Bolton added that no context "defends or justifies" some of the comments made adding he was "appalled and shocked" when he first heard them. | Mr Bolton added that no context "defends or justifies" some of the comments made adding he was "appalled and shocked" when he first heard them. |
'Divisive and self-interested comments' | |
Asked about Ms Marney's suspended party membership, he said he would support whatever decision the investigation came to. | Asked about Ms Marney's suspended party membership, he said he would support whatever decision the investigation came to. |
Mr Bolton, 54, said the 25-year-old model had been suspended immediately after the party found out about the comments. | Mr Bolton, 54, said the 25-year-old model had been suspended immediately after the party found out about the comments. |
The messages were sent three weeks before the couple began their relationship, according to the Mail on Sunday. | The messages were sent three weeks before the couple began their relationship, according to the Mail on Sunday. |
They confirmed their relationship in a letter to UKIP supporters earlier this month. | They confirmed their relationship in a letter to UKIP supporters earlier this month. |
Responding to party criticism, Mr Bolton said certain individuals "should start working towards the betterment of the party itself, working as part of a team rather than coming up with divisive and self-interested comments". |