UKIP has suspended the glamour model who is in a relationship with party leader Henry Bolton after claims she made racist remarks about Meghan Markle.

Jo Marney is reported to have claimed in a series of text messages that the mixed race actress engaged to Prince Harry would taint the Royal Family.

UKIP immediately suspended the 25-year-old from Maidstone, who issued an apology for her remarks.

The Mail on Sunday has published a series of messages reportedly sent by Jo Marney.

In them, she said Ms Markle would "taint" the Royal Family, that she had a "tiny brain" and that black people were ugly.

The revelations will heap further pressure on party leader Henry Bolton, who is based in Folkestone.

"He is already facing criticism about his relationship with Ms Marney after claims he misled the party about his marriage split with his 42-year-old wife, by whom he has two young children.

Ms Marney apologised and said her messages had been taken out of context.

In a statement to the newspaper Ms Marney said: "I apologise unreservedly for the shocking language I used.

"The opinions I expressed were deliberately exaggerated in order to make a point and have, to an extent, been taken out of context. Yet I fully recognise the offence they have caused."

Maidstone and the Weald MP Helen Grant condemned the comments in a tweet, saying: "Having fought against racism all my life I am disgusted by the vile remarks of Jo Marney about Meghan Markle. We have a duty to stamp out all forms of racism where we encounter them, and so must Ukip."

Mr Bolton has said that his relationship is a private matter but that has not stopped the party calling a special meeting, due to take place this week, to consider the allegations.

He has already faced a call to stand down from the former parliamentary candidate who stood for UKIP in Folkestone and Hythe in 2015.

Harriet Yeo said that he should quit the role as he had brought the party into disrepute

He has also been criticised by a former aide from Shepway, Cllr Susie Govett, who acted as his press aide during his leadership campaign.