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UKIP leader dumps 25-year-old girlfriend over racist messages

January 15, 2018
Henry Bolton and Jo Marney. — Courtesy photo
Henry Bolton and Jo Marney. — Courtesy photo

LONDON — The leader of the anti-immigration UK Independence Party announced Monday he had ended his relationship after his girlfriend reportedly made racist remarks about Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle.

Henry Bolton said he ended his brief liaison with 25-year-old Jo Marney after the Mail on Sunday newspaper published what he described as "appalling and insulting" text messages she reportedly sent.

"I don't defend these comments whatsoever... As of last night the romantic side of our relationship is ended," he told ITV television.

Bolton, who took up the UKIP leadership in September, said Marney had been suspended from the party.

He is under pressure to resign over his liaison.

According to the Mail on Sunday, she wrote messages to a friend complaining that Markle — an American actress of mixed race who is due to marry Harry in May — would "taint our royal family" with her "seed".

"Next will be a Muslim PM (prime minister). And a black king," she was reported to have written.

In a statement, Marney said her remarks were "deliberately exaggerated to make a point" and were taken out of context, but "I fully recognize the offense they have caused".

Bolton had already made headlines this month over his decision to end his marriage and start dating Marney.

He has resisted widespread calls to resign as UKIP's third elected leader since Nigel Farage stepped down in the wake of Britain's 2016 vote to leave the European Union.

The party has struggled to find a role since the Brexit referendum and has been beset by infighting.

Asked if UkIP was now irrelevant, Bolton said: “There is very much a point to the party. It is very important for the national debate, I believe, that the pro-Brexit voice is heard in British politics. And actually the only national party that’s 100% behind leaving the European Union is ours. We need to be effective in that debate.”

Bolton, who appeared deeply uncomfortable at times, was quizzed on whether he had formally separated from his wife, Tatiana, and when she knew about his relationship with Marney.

Of his wife, Bolton said: “We’re not legally separated or anything, but my wife has been in Austria since July with our two children, and that was a move she made by mutual agreement.” She was told about the new relationship three days after it had begun, he added.

The living arrangement with his wife was in part due to “family finances”, Bolton said. The UkIP leader’s post is unpaid, and his wife works in Vienna for the OSCE. The pair have two daughters, aged five and 18 months. — Agencies


January 15, 2018
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