Who is ‘bad girl of Brexit’ Jo Marney?
UKIP leader Henry Bolton faces no-confidence vote over relationship with her
UKIP leader Henry Bolton’s on-again, off-again relationship with girlfriend Jo Marney may cost him his job when the party gathers to decide his fate on Sunday.
Marney, now suspended from UKIP, shot to fame for all of the wrong reasons when it emerged she had sent racist messages about Prince Harry’s soon-to-be wife Meghan Markle.
Marney has since apologised, explaining that she can’t be racist because she likes black music. So who, exactly, is the self-described “presenter, music journalist, model, actor” and bad girl of Brexit?
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The 25-year-old topless model grew up in Kent, was privately educated and studied journalism at Canterbury Christ Church University, according to kentonline.com.
She has worked as a journalist and television presenter in addition to modelling, and starred in former X Factor contestant Sam Callahan’s music video for Burns Like Fire last year. She also walked the runway for the Hong Kong Fashion Showcase in May, says Metro.
Marney enjoys posting photos online of herself “in various poses and not always wearing much clothing”, The Daily Telegraph notes. Her pictures include snaps with Sir Tom Jones and David Gilmour, of Pink Floyd.
Bolton, 54, says he and Marney started dating a month ago - after he dumped his third wife, Tatiana, by text message. The MP claims he is no longer in a relationship with Marney, but photos have since emerged of them together on a train following supper in a London restaurant.
In addition to making disparaging remarks about Markle, Marney described Grenfell Tower as a “nest of illegal immigrants”.
According The Sun, Marney is said to be “distraught” over the publication of her racist messages but appears to be getting over it by enjoying a hot tub and a trip to Disneyland Paris.
Marney has defended her relationship with Bolton on Facebook, saying: “He was in an unhappy marriage and was estranged from his wife. He started dating me and we found that we made each other happy. What’s your issue?”
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