UK party sacks leader in fallout from racist Meghan Markle texts

UKIP party leader had faced growing pressure to resign over offensive text messages sent by his girlfriend

The troubled UK Independence Party has ousted its leader after a scandal over racist messages sent by his girlfriend.

Party members voted on 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.

Ms Marney, who was also a UKIP member, was suspended immediately.

_______________

Read more:

_______________

The right-wing, Eurosceptic 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 parliamentary seats during last year's election.

Mr Bolton was its fourth leader since 2016, and the sacking puts the party in further uncertainty.

Updated: February 18, 2018, 6:22 AM