UK party sacks leader in fallout from racist Markle texts

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Henry Bolton, the leader of UKIP (United Kingdom Independence Party) gives a statement in Folkestone, Britain, in this January 22, 2018 photo. (REUTERS)

LONDON: The troubled UK Independence Party has ousted its leader after a scandal over racist messages sent by his girlfriend.
Party members voted Saturday to back a motion of no confidence in Henry Bolton. The UKIP party leader had faced growing pressure to resign since a newspaper in mid-January published racist text messages about Prince Harry’s fiancee, Meghan Markle, sent by his girlfriend, 25-year-old Jo Marney.
Marney, who was also a UKIP member, was suspended immediately.
The right-wing, euroskeptic party played a key role in campaigning for Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, but it has struggled to maintain its prominence and failed to win any Parliament seats during last year’s election.
Bolton was its fourth leader since 2016, and the move now leaves the party in further uncertainty.

Topics: UKIP Britain Brexit