Ukip leader Henry Bolton said he won’t quit his UK Independence Party post amid calls for his resignation after racist remarks were texted about Meghan Markle by his now ex- girlfriend emerged.
According to Sky News, Jo Marney was suspended from the party after sending a series of texts to a friend in which she said Prince Harry’s fiancé had a "tiny brain" and would "taint" the Royal Family. (Markle is biracial.)
Bolton, who is UKIP's fourth leader since last September, said he has since ended his relationship with Marney, ITV reported, but several party members are calling for more drastic measures to be taken, stating that the party leader should stand down.
Bolton left his wife and family for the much younger Marney.
Amongst them was Ukip West Midlands member of parliament Bill Etheridge who, according to ITV, told Bolton to “go quietly and leave us to deal with what's left,” threatening to abandon his role as spokesman if the party leader "insists on prolonging this agony.”
In a video posted by The Daily Mail, Bolton dismissed queries about his resignation with a firm “no.” However, a party insider told Sky News the party leader was facing "huge pressure" from UKIP members of parliament as well as members of the London and Welsh assemblies to re-consider his position.
Another insider told the news outlet that "things are developing very quickly,” and former UKIP leadership candidate Ben Walker noted that, in a round-about way, Bolton has “assumed responsibility” for the text messages and “tried to apologize for them,” making it seem as if he was defending the remarks.
"So, by rights, you are taking on board what she said and making it your own,” said Walker.
“That's a problem… As a party leader, it shows huge lack of judgement. It shows political ineptness.”
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