Ukip vote to sack leader Henry Bolton

Ukip members have voted against leader Henry Bolton at a party meeting in Birmingham today.

The vote of no confidence comes after he was embroiled in a controversy over his partner sending racist text messages. It will likely trigger the fourth leadership race in 18 months.

An emergency general meeting was held at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre. The vote was called by Uklp’s national executive (NEC) after Bolton refused to distance himself from girlfriend Jo Marney.

While today’s meeting was held behind closed doors, it was reported Bolton faced a barrage of criticism from the 1,500-strong audience.

Some 63 per cent voted against the former army officer.

Bolton will be replaced by an interim leader, with a leadership election set to take place in the next 90 days.

Read more: Ukip leader Bolton refuses to quit but will “drain the swamp”

Despite Ukip’s NEC demanding the vote of no confidence, Bolton has resolutely defended his position. In January he said he would “drain the swamp” and end in-fighting.

Bolton had been determined not to expose Ukip to another leadership context.

“I am determined not to allow the NEC to distract the party away from participating forcefully in the independence debate,” he said last month.

Read more: Henry Bolton clings on as UKIP leader