The leader of Ukip must choose between keeping his role or staying with his new girlfriend after she made racist remarks about Meghan Markle, the party’s chairman has said.

Paul Oakden said Henry Bolton had “difficult decisions to make” after Jo Marney, 25, was suspended from Ukip after a series of messages emerged in which she made highly offensive comments about Prince Harry’s fiancee and black people.

Ms Marney has apologised "unreservedly" for the "shocking language" used in the messages, but said they had been "taken out of context".

Mr Bolton’s decision to leave his wife for Ms Marney, and the publicity which followed, was poorly received by some Ukip activists.

But the glamour model’s comments about Ms Markle, which included a suggestion that the actress would "taint our royal family", have left the Ukip leader facing a battle to save his political career.

The party’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) is due to discuss Mr Bolton’s status at a meeting next Sunday.