THE leader of the new Brexit Party has resigned after facing questions about anti-Islam social media posts sent from her account before she was appointed as party chief.
Catherine Blaiklock – who set up the party with the support of former Ukip leader Nigel Farage – said the comments, which have since been deleted, fell "well short of what is expected in any walk of life".
According to the Guardian, who approached Blaiklock for comment, one of the messages on her Twitter account read: “Islam = submission – mostly to raping men it seems.”
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Another, from December 2017, reported being at a north London tube station, and read: “8 people waiting for lift, 5 Muslim girls, 1 black, 1 other Asian Chinese, 1 white. Immediately outside saw a drug deal take place. Looked like Turkey.”
Retweeted posts from far-right figures were also found, including one from former British Nationalist Party activist Mark Collett mentioning “white genocide”.
Blaiklock said in a statement: "My appointment as leader of the Brexit Party was only ever supposed to be temporary.
“My role working with Nigel Farage was to set the party up and get it registered with the Electoral Commission, all of which has now been achieved.
"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."
Anti-racism campaigners Hope Not Hate, who helped unearth the since-deleted posts, celebrated her resignation.
"Blaiklock's abhorrent racist social media posts reveal the true nature of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party: new branding, same old nasty underbelly," campaign director Matthew McGregor said.
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