WEST Midlands UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge says he has resigned as sport spokesman for the purple party but a Facebook post from leader Henry Bolton suggests the decision was made for him.

Mr Etheridge, who is also a councillor for Sedgley, said he could not serve under Mr Bolton, who has been in a storm of controversy following allegations his girlfriend Jo Marney made racist remarks about Prince Harry’s Royal bride-to-be Meghan Markle.

But a Facebook post from Mr Bolton's account said an email had been sent to Cllr Etheridge "removing" him from the position within the party.

Halesowen News:

However - he has not responded to further requests by the News Group to comment on the matter.

Cllr Etheridge claims his decision to 'quit' his post was not about the love life of Bolton, who has since confirmed he has split from his model girlfriend, but his lack of faith in him to lead the party.

Mr Etheridge said: “Making sure we get a proper Brexit is the most important thing of all. UKIP cannot allow distractions like this to take our attention off the thing that is most important to our country.”

He said he would be focussing on pursuing Brexit through a series of public meetings and rallies and he added: “I also urge members to contact the NEC to call for the removal of Henry Bolton before his ego finally drags the party down."

Mr Bolton, who became UKIP leader in September, has reportedly refused to quit in the wake of the alleged scandal.