The Ukip leader Henry Bolton has insisted that he has no plans to stand down despite questions over his relationship with a 25-year-old glamour model from Maidstone.

The Folkestone-based Mr Bolton has faced criticism over his private life amid claims he misled the party over the end of his third marriage.

His critics include Harriet Yeo, Ukip’s candidate in Folkestone and Hythe in the 2015 general election. She told KentOnline she wanted him to quit and that he had behaved like an immature adolescent.

“He had led us to believe that he was a family man which has proved to be wrong," she said.

"Everyone is entitled to a private life but when you go out with someone less than half your age and then post tweets about it, it shows a lapse of judgement.”

But Mr Bolton has made it clear he will not be quitting.

Despite saying he would not comment on the circumstances of his private life, he has given an interview to the right-leaning website Westmonster to reject the criticism.

Party chiefs are to hold a special meeting next week to consider the leader’s position.

In the interview, he reiterated his marriage was over and he had told his wife Tatiana, by which he has two young children, that was the case.

He said: “My marriage has been in a difficult situation for a number of years. Let’s be very clear about this – before the relationship with Jo we had serious problems in the marriage and I had already told her that as far as I was concerned I had had enough. I’m still a man of integrity, I’m following my heart.”

He added: “I have no doubt I’m going to come out of this, and Jo and I are going to come out of this as a couple, stronger than we went into it.

"It’s been a battering experience but that’s what you get if you go into politics.”

He said he would not be standing down, adding: "I’m exactly the same person. My private life has changed, that’s been a long time in the mix. I’m absolutely 100% dedicated to sticking with the agenda I have created and driving it forward.”