Ukip facing bankruptcy if leadership election to replace Henry Bolton goes ahead

Henry Bolton with Jo Marney in a picture posted on Twitter by Ms Marney on December 27, 2017 
Henry Bolton with Jo Marney in a picture posted on Twitter by Ms Marney on December 27, 2017  Credit: Twitter

The fate of Ukip’s embattled leader hangs in the balance as the party’s ruling body meets to hold a secret meeting to decide his fate.

Although Ukip’s national executive committee is expected to vote in favour of asking their membership to decide whether Henry Bolton should remain leader, the former British Army officer will warn them that such a move could destroy Ukip and force it into administration.

In a battle for his political career, Mr Bolton, 54, is expected to argue that the party cannot afford to hold another leadership contest. It has been claimed that Ukip's finances are so bad that it would struggle to pay for a fourth leadership contest in 15 months if he is sacked or forced to resign.

Jo Marney
Jo Marney Credit:  Twitter.com/Jo_Marney

Mr Bolton’s private life has been under intense scrutiny after it emerged he had had an affair with a glamour model more than half his age.

A Ukip source said it was “likely” members of the committee would vote to ask their grassroots members to decide whether he should remain as party leader. However, senior members are anticipating a vehement defence by Mr Bolton to stay on as leader.

Under the party’s constitution, if the committee decides to ask it to decide his fate an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) would have to be held within 28 days.

“It’s likely that there will be a motion to hold an EGM meeting and vote about Henry’s future within the party,” the source said. “I really think the membership will be asked to discuss and decide what happens with him. The NEC has lots of options; it could hold an online ballot or ask those at the EGM to cast their votes. If the membership votes for him to go it would mean another leadership contest.”

Henry Bolton with his wife Tatiana Smurova
Henry Bolton with his wife Tatiana Smurova Credit: Henry Bolton/PA

Mr Bolton, who has two children with his estranged Russian wife, Tatiana Smurova, was elected in September. But news of his affair emerged this month after he was photographed with Jo Marney, a 25-year-old model and Ukip activist.

He suffered a further blow after it was revealed that she had described Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's fiancée, as a "black American" who would "taint" the royal family. Although he said he had split from the model afters she posted her racist tweets he was later spotted with her at a Westminster restaurant and photographed on the London Underground.

The affair had led to calls for his resignation as the party’s treasury spokesman and MEP, Jonathan Arnott, quit the party claiming Mr Bolton was “not the right person for the job”. He said it was “abundantly clear” the leader had to go but complained that no one was suitable to replace him.

Signalling his intention to fight to keep his job, Mr Bolton claimed on his Facebook page that he has been the victim of an “organised coup and insurgency”.

Ukip leader Henry Bolton and Jo Marney leave her family home
Ukip leader Henry Bolton and Jo Marney leave her family home Credit: Steve Finn

He said: "Prominent individuals both inside and outside the party have co-operated with left wing media to intentionally destabilize the party during this time and turn the members against me.

"I was elected to lead this party and shall continue doing so against interest groups that I will unveil."

Mr Bolton first met Ms Marney at a Ukip Christmas Party in Folkstone on December 16.

His wife told The Telegraph that she had begged him to stay for the children as their eldest daughter looked on crying.

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