Henry Bolton hints that he is 'enjoying' furious backlash and media attention

When pressed by Mr Farage about recent public appearances with Jo Marney, Mr Bolton suggested his relationship with her could be rekindled in the future, despite the fact that it sparked the calls for him to stand down.

"We're still in contact, of course there are strong emotions there, but we both need to sort our own private lives out," he told Mr Farage..

"So the romantic side of the relationship is off, certainly at the moment, and going forward, who knows what the future holds?"

Mr Bolton was handed a lifeline by Mr Farage, who said the leader could become Ukip's version of Jeremy Corbyn, and backed his attempts to reform the party.

Mr Farage said he has "despaired" at the party's NEC and decision-making processes and praised Mr Bolton's decision to let an emergency meeting (EGM) of party members decide his fate.

Writing in the Telegraph previously, Mr Farage said: "Bolton knows as well as anyone that Ukip must reform or die. His refusal to accept the NEC decision to quit, and his insistence on carrying out a full EGM, could provide a lifeline for Ukip. For this crisis is about more than Henry Bolton. It is about whether Ukip is fit for purpose.

"As one party spokesman after another resigns, I am reminded of the nightmare Jeremy Corbyn faced in 2016 when 21 members of his shadow cabinet resigned.

"Corbyn was written off by the press, but the rank and file membership saved him. If Bolton has the courage and the vision to introduce a new constitution, and shows that he can be a strong spokesman for Britain leaving the single market, taking back its fisheries and restoring pride in the UK, he may well surprise all of his critics too."