Ukip sacks Henry Bolton as leader in wake of racism row to spark fourth leadership contest in 18 months

Henry Bolton has been ejected as the leader of Ukip after members decided at an emergency conference throwing the future of the party into further uncertainty.

The decision at the crisis meeting of around 2,000 Ukip members gathered in Birmingham came after of the party's ruling body - the National Executive Body (NEC) - voted no confidence in the 54-year-old leadership last month.

After Mr Bolton refused to step down, he was forced to make his case to the membership on Saturday, but 867 voted against Bolton - or 63 per cent.