More Ukip chaos as deputy leader and Brexit spokesman quit after Henry Bolton clings on as leader
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Loading... - Havel Romero
- 22 Jan 2021
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Ukip descended further into chaos this morning as their deputy leader, immigration spokesman and Brexit spokesman resigned in protest after leader Henry Bolton’s refused to resign.
Deputy leader Margot Parker said Mr Bolton should go "sooner rather than later" as he was leaving the party "in a limbo situation".
It comes after the party’s ruling body, the National Executive Committee, unanimously voted no-confidence in Bolton’s leadership last night, a week after it emerged his girlfriend had sent racist messages about Meghan Markle .
The party now has 27 days to call an Emergency General Meeting, to allow party members an opportunity to back or reject the move to push Bolton out.
But Bolton warned yesterday the party faces bankruptcy if it pursues a costly leadership contest.
Ms Parker told BBC Radio Northampton that Mr Bolton's personal life "took over the job he was elected to do" and urged him to stand aside.
She said: "It would be quicker and cleaner if he came to the conclusion he could go sooner rather than later.
"This is taking time away from doing the job. This puts the party in a limbo situation."
Meanwhile, Brexit spokesman Gerard Batten and Immigration spokesman John Bickley also resigned from their jobs, leaving the party without a front bencher speaking up for their two most important issues.
Ukip Chairman Paul Oakden played down the prospect of supporters of Mr Bolton packing out the emergency meeting in order to keep him in post.
He said: "In theory that is true, however given the strength of feeling on this particular issue across the party membership I think it is highly likely that there will be a swathe of members from across the country attending.
"We have to have 250 people there, it can be anywhere upward of that.
"We will wait and see who turns up, I think it is unlikely that anybody on either side of the argument will be able to fill the room."
He also said the party would welcome the return of Nigel Farage to a greater role in Ukip.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think everybody would like him to have a greater role in Ukip. Whether that's as leader or not, I don't know if I would subject Nigel to that."
