Brexit Party leader quits after anti-Islam tweets posted from her account

The leader of the newly formed Nigel Farage-backed Brexit party has abruptly resigned after the discovery of a series of now deleted anti-Islam tweets that were posted from her account before she took the role.

Catherine Blaiklock resigned on Wednesday, two months after she set up the party with the Ukip leader, who went on to represent the group in the European Parliament.

Twitter posts sent from the former Ukip economics spokeswoman's account said that Islam was a threat to most of society, was "incompatible with liberal democracy" and a submission "mostly to raping men".

It is understood Ms Blaiklock took the decision to stand down after journalists questioned her about the comments.

Ms Blaiklock responded to questions about the tweets in a statement, saying: "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.

The tweets were originally uncovered by Hope Not Hate campaign group.

The group claim that the “numerous” statements on the now removed Twitter account included that Islam is “incompatible with liberal democracy” and that “Islam = submission – mostly to raping men it seems”.

They added that Ms Blaiklock's account had on “dozens of occasions – retweeted or quote-tweeted posts made by former leading British National Party (BNP) figure and neo-Nazi Mark Collett, including his claims that there is a “white genocide” taking place in Britain.”

Another tweet posted on December 2, 2017 said: “Islam – Threat to women, gays, whites, non Muslims, Blacks, Indians, Chinese – aggression to everyone but themselves. The great multicultural threat –their very own socialist parents are importing And [sic] this multiculturalism is all imported with good, albeit misguided, intentions.”

Another posted a day earlier said: “Got of [sic] at Mornington Crescent yessterday [sic] afternoon. 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.”

The Standard has approached Mr Farage for comment.