What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Ousted UKIP leader Henry Bolton was ambushed on This Morning with a shocking statement from his wife.

Presenter Phillip Schofield produced a "lengthy statement" from Tatiana Smurova, who accused her husband of "abandoning" his family.

She admitted the past two months had been "horrendous" after Bolton left her for 25-year-old model Jo Marney.

Phil clashed with the former UKIP leader and his girlfriend and asked if they were "private racists".

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

Bolton explained that the marriage "isn't over in legal terms" and admitted that there was a "falling out" over Christmas.

He revealed he met Marney on December 16 then flew to Vienna just two days later to see his family during a "hurtful and traumatic" period.

The politician looked shocked when Phil then produced the statement from his wife, who hasn't seen him for two months.

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

Reading the statement, Phil said: "The past two months have been horrendous for me and my family.

"Rather than trying to protect the privacy of people whom he hurt so badly my still husband has given countless interviews proclaiming his feelings for his lover while still being legally married and up until recently still saying at the same time to me he wants our family to have a second chance."

Tatiana said she had supported her husband in tough times and went to Austria to support their family financially but has been "abandoned and quickly forgotten".

(Image: PA)

Bolton's wife said he should have ended their relationship in a "civilised" manner rather than effecting the children.

She ended: "I believe nothing can be built on lies and unhappiness of other people. It's about foundation and I believe his departure from UKIP has shown this."

Bolton claimed the situation has been "aggravated by other people" and the "scrutiny and political pressure" over recent weeks had made it difficult to arrange personal issues.

(Image: ITV)

Attention then turned to Marney, who was asked why she called Grenfell Tower a "nest of illegal immigrants" and Weinstein victims "whining little divas" in a series of shocking Facebook rants.

She said: "I think the language I used was not good at all. I didn’t mean to cause offence. I think in a wider, broader context the things I said need discussing."

Marney tried to defend her remarks by claiming they were made in private, but furious Holly said: "It doesn't matter if your choice of language is in the public eye or you're just a human being."

(Image: ITV)

Phil then struggled to read out another horrific comment made by Marney.

He said: "I find it really hard to say this word out loud. 'You would never have sex with a negro'."

Holly asked: "Why say them. What's the point to cause hurt. So it's ok to be a private racist?"

"Are you private racists?" asked Phil.

Defensive Bolton replied: "Absolutely not. I absolutely do not believe these comments reflect Jo's beliefs."

* This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am