Ukip leader Henry Bolton splits with girlfriend Jo Marney after 'racist' texts about Meghan Markle

Chloe Chaplain15 January 2018
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Ukip leader Henry Bolton has revealed he has ended his relationship with his 25-year-old girlfriend after it was reported she had made racist remarks about Meghan Markle.

The politician had faced calls to step down as party leader after text messages were published in which Jo Marney described black people as "ugly" and said Ms Markle would "taint" the Royal family.

She was immediately suspended from Ukip and, on Sunday, issued an apology for the "shocking" language she used about Prince Harry's fiance.

On Monday, 54-year-old Mr Bolton, whose relationship with Ms Marney is under investigation by Ukip, told ITV's Good Morning Britain he had ended the romance.

Couple: The relationship was controversial from the start

But he said he had no intention of resigning as party leader.

The Ukip leader admitted that the relationship was "obviously quite incompatible" with his position as party chief and the "romantic" side of their relationship had ended.

He said they had ended the romance on Sunday night, describing it as "a long and upsetting conversation for both of us".

Split: The politician announced the split on GMB

But said he would continue to support the family of Ms Marney as she had been left " absolutely distraught" by the revelations.

"These messages came out a long time ago at a time when she had absolutely no idea they would be made public," he said.

The Mail On Sunday printed texts it said had been sent by Ms Marney before her relationship with Mr Bolton began.

Ms Marney describes herself as a glamour model and journalist, as well as a Brexiteer

They included messages reading "This is Britain, not Africa" during a discussion about the royal engagement and repeated use of the word "negro".

"I don't defend these comments whatsoever and indeed Jo has been suspended pending an investigation under the normal rules of the party for such things and it is against the constitution for the party to be racist in any way,” Mr Bolton said.

“As of last night the romantic side of our relationship is ended."

Mr Bolton split with his wife Tatiana before dating the glamour model half his age, with the relationship being made public just after Christmas.

He has two children with 42-year-old Mrs Bolton, with the youngest being born in 2016.

Separated: Henry Bolton with his wife Tatiana Smurova-Bolton
PA

In a statement to the paper Ms Marney, who describes herself on Twitter profile as a model, actor and journalist, as well as a Brexiteer, apologised for the remarks made.

She said: "The opinions I expressed were deliberately exaggerated in order to make a point and have, to an extent, been taken out of context. Yet I fully recognise the offence they have caused."

Ukip: Bolton said he has no intention of resigning
ITV

Mr Bolton has also faced widespread calls for his resignation, but he made it clear he wanted to stay in place as the party leader, saying "there are a great many people who fully support me".

Asked if his position as leader had become untenable, he added: "First of all, I am not intending to resign - at all.

"This will be a question for the party so it's up to the party what happens in relation to my leadership, I'm not going to resign."

Mr Bolton admitted he had talked about immigration with Ms Marney but claimed it was about "straightforward, mild things" such as points systems, but "nothing of this sort".

He said he had been with her for four days when her messages were revealed, and had "no idea" about her reported views.

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