Ukip chief Henry Bolton, 54, ditches wife for topless glamour model Jo Marney who’s nearly half his age

UKIP’S new leader has left his wife for a topless model 25 years his junior.

Twice-wed ex-Army captain Henry Bolton, 54, spent Christmas with 29-year-old Jo Marney and has introduced her to party bigwigs.

She describes herself as a “model, actor and Brexiteer” — and her social media mixes pro-Brexit pieces with scantily-clad snaps.

Tonight a friend told The Sun: “It certainly took us all by surprise, but Jo is one of the Ukip family now.

“She’s lovely and clever and wants to help and support Henry.”

Dad-of-three Mr Bolton referred to his Russian wife Tatiana as “supportive” when he pulled off a shock victory to take over the party from Nigel Farage last September.

But tonight he said they had split in July.

Mr Bolton, wearing slippers, answered the door at Jo’s family home near Maidstone in Kent.

Asked if they were in a relationship, he replied: “The answer is yes, I’m here just visiting for the moment.

“My wife is fully aware of what’s been going on and has been abroad since July.”

He and Miss Marney then went for a stroll, walking into woods arm-in-arm.

On Boxing Day she had tweeted a picture of Mr Bolton with a purple heart — Ukip’s party colours.

And on New Year’s Day Mr Bolton joked on Twitter: “Myself and Jo Marney nearly run over by George Osborne in Covent Garden.”

Former diplomat Mr  Bolton was awarded an OBE in 2013 for services to international security.

He was in the Army full-time for 11 years and served for eight as an officer with Thames Valley Police, receiving a bravery award.

He was in the Lib Dems until joining Ukip in 2014 and lived with Tatiana in Folkestone.

They have two daughters aged four and two, the second born on a train at St Pancras railway station. They named her Victoria.

Mr Bolton also has a 32-year-old from his Danish first wife.

Tonight his spokesman confirmed: “His wife is aware of the relationship between Henry and Jo and is living and working abroad.”