A former Canterbury student dumped by Ukip leader Henry Bolton amid a race row has defended him against widespread calls for him to step down.

Jo Marney - who studied journalism at Canterbury Christ Church University - started dating the scandal-hit politician after he split from his wife last year.

But Mr Bolton ended the relationship on Sunday after it emerged Miss Marney had made racist remarks in a string of texts sent to a friend.

The pair were reportedly spotted together in London last night.

Despite being cast aside, Miss Marney, from Maidstone, says she does not hold Mr Bolton’s decision against him as he fights to save his political career.

Speaking exclusively to KentOnline's sister paper, the Kentish Gazette, she said: “I don’t have a bad word to say about Henry. I still think he’s the perfect gentleman.”

Miss Marney - who at 25 is less than half Mr Bolton’s age - was at the centre of revelations in the Mail on Sunday this week after it emerged she made racist remarks about Prince Harry’s fiancée Megan Markle.

In text messages sent to a male friend in May, she wrote that Miss Markle will “taint” the Royal Family with “her seed” and pave the way for a “black king”.

Miss Marney also described Miss Markle, whose mother is black and whose father is white, as a “dumb little commoner” who is “obsessed with race”.

After her friend accused her of being racist, she wrote: “Lol so what... Not wanting other races and cultures to invade your own culture doesn’t mean I hate their race. Just means I don’t want their cultures invading mine.”

When she was confronted about the texts, Miss Marney – who has been suspended by Ukip - apologised and claimed her comments had been “taken out of context”.

In a statement, she 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.

"I don’t have a bad word to say about Henry. I still think he’s the perfect gentleman" - Jo Marney

“No offence was intended and, again, I apologise unreservedly for any such offence or hurt that my messages have caused to members of the public, members of Ukip my friends, family and loved ones.

“I have disappointed them all and let myself down. I cannot sufficiently express my regret and sadness at having done so.”

She also clarified her political position, telling the Gazette yesterday: “Despite my suspension, my political loyalty remains with Ukip.”

Mr Bolton, who is based in Folkestone, is due to face a crunch meeting with the party’s ruling National Executive Committee today.

If ousted, it would leave the party having to elect its fifth leader in 18 months.

Canterbury Ukip councillor David Hirst has urged Mr Bolton to step down, claiming his integrity is in tatters.

“He will have to be removed soonest,” he said.

“I had high hopes for him, but sadly he cannot recover. He is finished.

“It is mainly to do with integrity. He is a gentleman but has displayed incredibly poor judgement.

“We are between a rock and a hard place, but I doubt he will step down as party leader. I am very annoyed.”