The leader of the Nigel Farage-backed Brexit Party has quit after anti-Islamic comments she posted on social media were discovered.

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

The former Ukip economics spokeswoman had claimed in Twitter posts that Islam was a threat to most of society, was "incompatible with liberal democracy" and a submission "mostly to raping men".

It is understood she took the decision to stand down in response to journalists discovering the comments online.

In a resignation statement, Ms Blaiklock said her role had been successful in "working with Nigel Farage ... to set the party up and register it with the Electoral Commission".

"The out-of-character comments that I made on social media some time ago were unacceptable in tone and content," she continued.

"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."

Matthew McGregor, campaigns director of HOPE not hate, said, “Farage's new party has lost its leader to a racism scandal before even formally launching – and the only reason Blaiklock has gone is because these vile comments were exposed by HOPE not hate.

“Blaiklock's abhorrent racist social media posts reveal the true nature of Nigel Farage's 'Brexit Party': new branding, same old nasty underbelly.”

One tweet in June 2017 read: "Islam = submission - mostly to raping men it seems. #ukip."

And, in December that year, another said: "Islam - Threat to women, gays, whites, non-Muslims, Blacks, Indians, Chinese - aggression to everyone but themselves."