UK party sacks leader in fallout from racist Markle texts
LONDON — The troubled U.K. Independence Party ousted its leader Saturday after a scandal over racist text messages sent by his girlfriend, leaving the future of the right-wing party that played a key role in Brexit once more uncertain.
A majority of party members backed a motion of no confidence in UKIP Leader Henry Bolton, who had faced growing pressure to resign since a newspaper in mid-January published the messages Jo Marney wrote about Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s fiancee.
Marney, 25, who was also a UKIP member, was suspended from the party at the time.
The departure of Bolton, who was only elected to his role in September, will trigger the fourth leadership contest in the party since 2016.