The leader of Nigel Farage's new pro-Brexit party has dramatically quit over anti-Islam messages sent from her Twitter account.

Catherine Blaiklock's Twitter account was deleted earlier this year after she co-founded the Brexit Party.

But analysis of the account found a string of anti-Islam statements and retweets of far-right figures.

According to campaign group Hope not Hate, they included claims that Islam is "incompatible with liberal democracy" that “Islam = submission – mostly to raping men it seems” and is a “threat to women, gays, whites, non Muslims, Blacks, Indians, Chinese – aggression to everyone but themselves”, and “I want my country back … not acid attacks, mobs and mosques”.

She also retweeted former BNP figure Mark Collett, including his claim that there is a "white genocide" taking place in Britain.

Ms Blaiklock is understood to have resigned after being approached by the Guardian about the claims.

In a statement, she said: "The out-of-character comments that I made on social media some time ago were unacceptable in tone and content.

"After speaking to Nigel Farage, I realise that my comments fall well short of what is expected in any walk of life.

“I have accordingly tendered my resignation as party leader.”

Matthew McGregor, campaigns director of HOPE not hate, said: “Farage's new party has lost its leader to a racism scandal before even formally launching – and the only reason Blaiklock has gone is because these vile comments were exposed by HOPE not hate.

“Blaiklock's abhorrent racist social media posts reveal the true nature of Nigel Farage's 'Brexit Party': new branding, same old nasty underbelly.”

Also among the right wing figures retweeted from Ms Blaiklock's account are conspiracy theorist Peter Sweden, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson and Infowars conspiracy theorist Paul Joseph Watson.

Read More

Latest Brexit news

Source: Read Full Article