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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Ukip leader splits with girlfriend over racist messages | Ukip leader splits with girlfriend over racist messages |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Henry Bolton admits relationship is ‘incompatible’ with his role after reports she made racist remarks about Meghan Markle | Henry Bolton admits relationship is ‘incompatible’ with his role after reports she made racist remarks about Meghan Markle |
| Staff and agencies | Staff and agencies |
| Mon 15 Jan 2018 07.05 GMT | Mon 15 Jan 2018 07.05 GMT |
| Last modified on Mon 15 Jan 2018 07.32 GMT | |
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| The Ukip leader, Henry Bolton, has told ITV’s Good Morning Britain he has ended his relationship with his girlfriend, Jo Marney, after it was reported she made racist remarks about Meghan Markle. | The Ukip leader, Henry Bolton, has told ITV’s Good Morning Britain he has ended his relationship with his girlfriend, Jo Marney, after it was reported she made racist remarks about Meghan Markle. |
| The Ukip leader admitted the relationship was “obviously quite incompatible” with his position as party chief and the “romantic” side of their relationship had ended. However, he said he would continue to support Marney’s family, who he said had been left “distraught” by the revelations. | The Ukip leader admitted the relationship was “obviously quite incompatible” with his position as party chief and the “romantic” side of their relationship had ended. However, he said he would continue to support Marney’s family, who he said had been left “distraught” by the revelations. |
| The Mail on Sunday printed texts it said had been sent by Marney, including use of the word “negro” and a message reading “This is Britain, not Africa” during a discussion about the royal engagement. | The Mail on Sunday printed texts it said had been sent by Marney, including use of the word “negro” and a message reading “This is Britain, not Africa” during a discussion about the royal engagement. |
| In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, Bolton said: “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. As of last night the romantic side of our relationship is ended.” | In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, Bolton said: “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. As of last night the romantic side of our relationship is ended.” |
| Bolton, who has been leader of the party for less than four months, came under increasing pressure to resign on Sunday after it was revealed that Marney, 25, had sent a series of messages to a friend in which she made the highly offensive comments about Prince Harry’s fiancee. | Bolton, who has been leader of the party for less than four months, came under increasing pressure to resign on Sunday after it was revealed that Marney, 25, had sent a series of messages to a friend in which she made the highly offensive comments about Prince Harry’s fiancee. |
| Bolton’s relationship with Marney, for whom he left his wife, is under investigation by party officials. Marney said she apologised “unreservedly” for the “shocking language” used in the messages, but claimed they had been taken out of context. | Bolton’s relationship with Marney, for whom he left his wife, is under investigation by party officials. Marney said she apologised “unreservedly” for the “shocking language” used in the messages, but claimed they had been taken out of context. |
| The party’s chair, Paul Oakden, said he decided to suspend Marney’s party membership immediately after he was made aware of the messages. “Ukip does not, has not and never will condone racism,” he told the Mail on Sunday. | The party’s chair, Paul Oakden, said he decided to suspend Marney’s party membership immediately after he was made aware of the messages. “Ukip does not, has not and never will condone racism,” he told the Mail on Sunday. |
| Bolton replaced Paul Nuttall, who left the role after the party lost swathes of council seats and failed to make any headway in last year’s general election. His predecessor Diana James quit after 18 days in the role. | |
| UK Independence party (Ukip) | UK Independence party (Ukip) |
| Meghan Markle | Meghan Markle |
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