Nigel Farage faces accusations of racism by an activist

The BBC tried to contact Mr Parker about Mr Farage’s comments, but he did not wish to comment.

Channel 4 News said it stuck to its “strict and impartial journalism”, adding that it had met Parker for the first time at the headquarters of the British Reform Party and had not paid him any money.

Farage was then asked about other comments made by Reform UK candidates.

Edward Oakenfull, who stands in the Derbyshire Dales, books Ockenful posted offensive comments on social media about the IQ of sub-Saharan Africans. Ockenful told the BBC that his comments were “taken out of context”.

Robert Lomas, a candidate in Barnsley North, reportedly said blacks should “get off”. [their] “Lazy people” and stop acting “like savages.” The comments were published by The Times on June 8, with Reform claiming at the time that they were “quotes taken out of context” and that it needed more time to respond.

Lesley Lilley, who was standing in Southend East and Rochford, reportedly described people arriving on small boats as “scum”, adding: “I hope your family gets robbed, beaten up or attacked.”

Farage said he disavowed the candidates in question, adding: “I want nothing to do with them.”

“There are people in all parties who say bad things and wrong things,” he said, saying it was partly a result of having to find candidates quickly after the prime minister’s surprise call for a general election in July.

Mr Lilley is no longer a Reform UK candidate in the constituency on the party’s website, but Mr Ockenfull and Mr Lummes are on the list.

The BBC contacted the Islah Party to confirm whether the party has officially withdrawn its support from the three candidates.

However, it is too late to prevent them from appearing on the ballot.

Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of the Green Party, was also asked about comments made by some of his candidates in relation to the conflict in Gaza, including one candidate who compared Hamas to French Resistance fighters in World War II.

Mr Ramsay said he did not support those views, adding that any concerns would be “properly investigated through the correct channels within the party” – saying those channels were separate from the leadership.

“Unfortunately, all parties had candidates selected in this election who are no longer running,” he said.