UK INDEPENDENCE Party activist Dr Julia Gasper said she resigned as Oxford party chairman to end a “press vendetta” against her.

The former chairman of the Oxford branch of UKIP said claims that she had been sacked from the party and from her position were untrue.

Dr Gasper was recently accused of making homophobic comments on a party members’ forum.

It was claimed she branded gay rights as a “lunatics’ charter” and said some homosexuals prefer sex with animals.

She said: “I have not been chucked out of UKIP, I have offered to step down as chairman of the local branch in the belief that this is best for the party.

“However there is a procedure to be followed and until the next meeting in February they can’t officially accept my resignation.

“The point of it is not to punish me, but simply to put an end to the press vendetta against me.”

UKIP spokesman Gawain Towler last week confirmed Dr Gasper’s position was “under review” after the comments were leaked to a national newspaper.