MID & West Wales AM Neil Hamilton has said his party’s leader, Henry Bolton, “should seek psychological help”.

He was speaking after UKIP’s national executive passed a motion of no confidence in the former Army officer in the wake of the storm about racist texts sent by his former girlfriend Jo Marney. Mr Bolton has vowed to cling on to his role and has the backing of the party’s former leader Nigel Farage.

Ms Marney made derogatory comments about American television actress Meghan Markle who is due to marry Prince Harry in May in a text conversation with a friend.

Mr Bolton, 54, announced he had ditched the 25-year-old model and journalist but was pictured with her days later.

Wading into the row, Mr Hamilton said: “I support the NEC’s unanimous decision to pass a vote of no confidence in Henry Bolton. He should now resign from UKIP immediately so we can get on with rebuilding the party without further distraction. If he forces us to hold an EGM (extraordinary general meeting), he will only humiliate himself further. His recent behaviour has been so irrational, he should seek psychological help.”

“With a calm, experienced person like Gerard Batten MEP or Mike Hookem MEP as interim leader, we can establish the party’s role in a post-Brexit Britain. UKIP fills a gap in the spectrum left by the failure of all the old parties to speak for the ordinary, common-sense person. UKIP Wales is well advanced with its own plan for an enduring role in Welsh politics.”

Mr Hamilton was speaking after UKIP Wales announced its Brecon and Radnor Branch has started up again under the leadership of Clive Easton.

The new UKIP branch will hold regular monthly meetings.

Mr Hamilton said: “There is a great deal of interest in UKIP in this area and, under the strong leadership of Clive and his colleagues, we will go from strength to strength.

“There is a mistaken belief amongst some of the 54% of people in Powys who voted to Leave the EU that the job is done. Theresa May’s government continues to prevaricate and give way to the bullying tactics of the EU and [its negotiators] Messrs [Michel] Barnier and [Jean-Claude] Juncker, so UKIP still has much work to do.”

Mr Easton, a UKIP member since 1996, said that he was looking forward to welcoming more members and urged anyone interested in attending a meeting to contact him on 01597 810277.