Henry Bolton will make a statement on his position as Ukip leader after a series of senior figures quit over his refusal to resign.
Deputy leader Margot Parker and assistant deputy leader Mike Hookem were among those who said they were unable to serve in his top team.
Mr Bolton will make a statement at 4pm amid speculation he will attempt to hold on to his position.
Asked if his statement would confirm he intends to fight on, he said: “It may be. I’m making a statement at four o’clock.”
(PA Graphics)
The resignations came after Ukip’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) backed a motion of no confidence in Mr Bolton on Sunday following the disclosure that his girlfriend had sent racist messages about Meghan Markle.
Mr Bolton has faced a stream of calls to resign since the highly offensive messages sent by Jo Marney, 25, were published by the Mail on Sunday.
Ukip deputy leader Margot Parker has quit over Henry Bolton’s refusal to stand down (Peter Byrne/PA)
East Midlands MEP Ms Parker told BBC Radio Northampton that Mr Bolton’s personal life “took over the job he was elected to do” and urged him to stand aside.
She said: “It would be quicker and cleaner if he came to the conclusion he could go sooner rather than later.
“This is taking time away from doing the job. This puts the party in a limbo situation.”
Mr Hookem, who resigned on Friday but made the decision public on Monday, said the situation had become an “almost farcical scandal”.
“Ukip is now in the preposterous situation of the leader’s private life being of more interest than the party,” Mr Hookem said in his resignation letter to Mr Bolton.
Other figures to quit include:
- London spokesman Peter Whittle
- Trade and industry spokesman William Dartmouth
- Education spokesman David Kurten
- Local government spokesman Tim Aker
Party members will now decide Mr Bolton’s fate in a vote at an emergency meeting in February.
Meanwhile, Ukip chairman Paul Oakden suggested that former leader Nigel Farage could take on a greater role in the party.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think everybody would like him to have a greater role in Ukip. Whether that’s as leader or not, I don’t know if I would subject Nigel to that.”