Henry Bolton faced criticism over his relationship with Jo Marney, whose racist remarks were leaked to the press

The Ukip leader embroiled in a dispute over racist text messages sent by a former lover is linked with dozens of people with apparent far-right sympathies on social media, The Times can reveal.

Henry Bolton, 54, has been heavily criticised by his party after it emerged that Jo Marney, a 25-year-old model, had described Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s fiancée, as a “black American” who would “taint” the royal family.

Mr Bolton has since ended the relationship but faced further scrutiny after he and Ms Marney were spotted having dinner. He suffered a further blow yesterday as the North East MEP Jonathan Arnott, the party’s treasury spokesman, resigned and said it had become “abundantly clear” that Mr Bolton was not the right person for the job.