Henry Bolton: My relationship with young model does not distract from vital Ukip mission
2 min read
Ukip leader Henry Bolton has told party members his new relationship with a model in her 20s must not distract from their “vital mission”.
Mr Bolton wrote to the Ukip faithful after The Sun revealed he had left his wife for 25-year-old Jo Marney who he said “has become increasingly important to me”.
But the 54-year-old insisted the pair had not been involved in a “clandestine affair”.
Ms Marney - who describes herself as a presenter, music journalist, model, actor and Brexiteer - tweeted pictures of herself with Mr Bolton during the Christmas period.
The Ukip boss felt the need to set the record straight with members yesterday after The Sun confronted him about the relationship.
“Tomorrow morning, some of you may find yourselves reading The Sun newspaper,” he said in a message seen by PoliticsHome.
“If you do then inside you might find a piece that's been written about me; specifically talking about my private life.
“The potential story is going to confirm that in recent weeks, I've had a change in my relationship status.
“The story might also suggest (inaccurately) that this change has involved a clandestine affair with a young lady who happens also to be a member of Ukip.”
He added: “If you see the story tomorrow, take it for what it is, but also be confident that it in no way distracts me or our party from the vital mission we have ahead of us.”
After a quiet period, Mr Bolton assured members Ukip would “see a significant ramping up of our profile and activity” over the next three months.
The previously unknown Brexiteer and former military man - - who was a member of the Lib Dems until relatively recently - was elected to the leadership in September last year following the resignation of Paul Nuttall.
Mr Nuttall stepped down after the party got just 600,000 votes across the UK at the June election..
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