A UK Independence Party chair has chosen to leave her post after her anti-gay views were exposed.

Dr Julia Gasper, a former parliamentary hopeful, resigned from her post as chair of the Oxford branch of the Eurosceptic British political party.

On 13 January, it was revealed members used an official online forum to express extreme right-wing opinions.

Gasper said gays are more likely to abuse children, branded gay rights as a ‘lunatic’s charter’ and claimed some gays prefer sex with animals.

‘As for the links between homosexuality and pedophilia, there is so much evidence that even a full-length book could hardly do justice to the subject,’ she said.

When asked by The Sunday Mirror about the remarks, UKIP leader Nigel Farage said the party had ‘problems’ with her in the past.

‘Her position in the Oxford branch is not acceptable and is being changed,’ he said. ‘Her war against homosexuals is unacceptable.’

Olly Neville, the former chairman of the Young Independent wing, was recently fired from his position for backing marriage equality.

On Twitter, Neville retweeted a message saying: ‘Good to see that Julia Gasper has been forced to resign as Oxford chair. Her disgraceful views have no place as a rep of a mainstream party.’

Speaking to Gay Star News, a UKIP spokesman said: ‘I can confirm both Julia Gasper, like Olly Neville, is now a private member and does not speak for or represent the party.’

In December, it was revealed UKIP leader Nigel Farage was hoping to woo members of the Conservative party who were against same-sex marriage.

In 2013 the party has 12 of the 73 UK seats in the European Parliament, three members in the House of Lords, but no MPs in the House of Commons.

But due to the reported decreasing popularity of the government’s coalition partners the Liberal Democrats, UKIP was hopeful of a breakthrough and gain seats in the 2015 General Election.