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UKIP leader splits with partner after Meghan Markle texts UKIP leader splits with partner after Meghan Markle texts
(35 minutes 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". MEP Bill Etheridge, who stood in the last leadership election, has called on Mr Bolton to quit while Sharia Watch founder Anne-Marie Waters, who came second to Mr Bolton in September's contest but has since set up her own For Britain party, hit out at his "inept and cowardly leadership".
He said they were "utterly indefensible" but there was "some context to them" which will be revealed in time. Stark choice - by the BBC's Norman Smith
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. Henry Bolton faced a stark choice. Either give up his girlfriend or give up his leadership. After a weekend considering his options, he chose the former - saying "the romantic element of our relationship should end".
'Divisive and self-interested comments' Whether that will be sufficient to safeguard Mr Bolton's position as leader is less clear. Some senior figures in the party believe since he became leader just three months ago Mr Bolton has failed to make a mark or get a grip of the party's problems.
Asked about Ms Marney's suspended party membership, he said he would support whatever decision the investigation came to. Quite apart from Mr Bolton's position - he is UKIP's fourth leader since the referendum - the party is facing mounting financial pressure and a loss of members.
Mr Bolton, 54, said the 25-year-old model had been suspended immediately after the party found out about the comments. Above all it is struggling to find a role for itself since the Brexit referendum.
The messages were sent three weeks before the couple began their relationship, according to the Mail on Sunday. Mr Bolton told BBC Breakfast Ms Marney's "utterly indefensible" comments were made "some time ago".
They confirmed their relationship in a letter to UKIP supporters earlier this month. While there was "some context to them" which will be revealed in time, he added that no context "defends or justifies" some of the comments, adding he was "appalled and shocked" when he first heard them.
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". Asked about the state of his marriage on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said he and his wife had lived "under the same roof" for about five of the 12 years they had been together and had been living apart since July when they reached a mutual decision that she and their children should move to Austria where she is working.
"We are still married, we are not legally separated at all... I have tremendous respect for my wife. She is an outstanding mother to our children but we have had difficulties."
Asked when he told his wife about the relationship with Ms Marney, he replied: "My wife did not know about it at the time it started. She knew three days into it. Jo Marney and I went out first on Boxing Day. I told my wife exactly what was going on the 30th."
Mr Bolton, 54, said the 25-year-old model had been suspended immediately after the party found out about the comments and he would support whatever decision the investigation came to.
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.
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".