Current Affairs

Anti-gay British politician’s girlfriend sent shocking racist texts about Meghan Markle

Jan 14 2018
Written by Josh Jackman

(Twitter/jo_marney and texts)

The leader of the UK Independence Party has been urged to quit after it emerged his new girlfriend sent racist texts about Meghan Markle.

In September, UKIP chose Henry Bolton as its sixth leader in 18 months – at which point he promptly stated that LGBT rights had gone “too far.”

TORQUAY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Newly elected UKIP leader Henry Bolton makes his leader's speech at their autumn conference being held at the Riviera International Centre on September 30, 2017 in Torquay, England. Bolton is the UKIP party's fourth leader in just over a year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

(Getty)

The 54-year-old sparked controversy earlier this month by leaving his wife Tatiana Smurova for 25-year-old Jo Marney.

And now, Marney has been suspended by UKIP.

(Twitter/jo_marney)

The party took action after The Mail on Sunday revealed racist texts in which Marney called Prince Harry’s fiancée a “negro” whose “seed [will] taint our royal family.”

Marney, a model, also called Markle “a ‘gender equality’ t***”.

(Twitter/jo_marney)

She said the American actress and human rights campaigner’s marriage to the Prince would pave the way for “a Muslim PM and a black king”.

UKIP’s chair, Paul Oakden, said Bolton needed to make some “difficult” choices.

“I think it is very clear that Henry is increasingly in a position where he’s got some difficult decisions to make,” he said on BBC’s Sunday Politics.

He added that he and other UKIP members needed to be “behind our leader 100% in taking that battle forward”.

TORQUAY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Newly elected UKIP leader Henry Bolton walks on the beach following morning TV interviews at their autumn conference on September 30, 2017 in Torquay, England. Bolton is the UKIP party's fourth leader in just over a year. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

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UKIP’s national executive committee will meet next Sunday to decide what to do, unless Bolton resigns as leader before then.

Oakden said: “Whether or not the party decides it is willing to give that support to Henry is for the party to decide.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: UK Independence Party leader Henry Bolton arrives at Millbank Studios on December 8, 2017 in London, England. British Prime Minister Theresa May has struck a deal with the European Union during early morning talks in Brussels today before Brexit talks move on to the next phase. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

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UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge tweeted a statement which said: “Henry does not have the experience, the political nous or advice to deal with the issues he faces.

“The time has come for Henry Bolton to resign as leader of UKIP.

(Getty)

“He must go, he must go quickly, he must go as quietly as possible. I hope he manages to salvage his personal life from all this mess”.

The struggling party has churned its way through a string of leaders in the past two years – with the reigns passing between Nigel Farage, Suzanne Evans (whose acting leadership was revoked before she even took up the post), Farage, Diane James, Farage, Paul Nuttall and Steve Crowther.

(Twitter/jo_marney)

In response to the texts, Marney said: “I apologise unreservedly for the shocking language I used.

“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.

(Twitter/jo_marney)

“No offence was intended and, again, I apologise unreservedly for any such offence or hurt that my messages have caused to members of the public, members of Ukip my friends, family and loved ones.

“I have disappointed them all and let myself down. I cannot sufficiently express my regret and sadness at having done so.”