Embattled Ukip leader Henry Bolton has resisted calls to quit, insisting that he was focusing on the fight for Brexit.
Despite a vote of no confidence in his leadership by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) and the resignation of a series of key figures, Mr Bolton insisted he would fight on.
Mr Bolton hit out at the NEC which needs “significant and urgent reform” and the “factional in-fighting” within the party.
Speaking to reporters outside a Folkestone hotel, he said: “I respect the next steps in the constitutional process and will therefore not be resigning as Party leader.
“I repeat I shall not be resigning as Party leader.”
UKIP leader Henry Bolton is resisting calls to resign (Gareth Fuller/PA)
The resignations came after the NEC backed a motion of no confidence in Mr Bolton on Sunday following the disclosure his girlfriend had sent racist messages about Meghan Markle.
Mr Bolton has faced a stream of calls to resign since the highly offensive messages sent by Jo Marney, 25, were published by the Mail on Sunday.