Mr Farage gave his backing to embattled Richard 'Dicky' Eminson, a former airline steward standing for the party in the Lakenham ward at both Norwich and Norfolk elections next week.

Mr Eminson had been warned by local party figures that he might face disciplinary action over his posts - which include support for Tommy Robinson, as well as one of him naked with his hands covering his genitals and a clip of being taking his top off while being sprayed with water.

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But Mr Farage was more forgiving. "I rather enjoyed the [naked] posts," he said, when asked about Mr Eminson on a visit to Norfolk earlier this week.

He also shrugged off Mr Eminson's endorsement of Mr Robinson, the anti-immigration activist.

"I'm not a big fan [of Mr Robinson], but you know what people can have their own opinion.

“All I'm saying to our candidates is focus on what we’re doing.

“Tommy Robinson is not a political party.

Reform leader Nigel Farage said he "rather enjoyed" his candidates raunchy content (Image: Joe Giddens)

"He’s an individual who is supported by people online who like that he stood up against the grooming gangs.

"He's not my cup of tea but that's life.

“People can like all sorts of things.”

Mr Farage has previously made efforts to distance himself and his party from Mr Robinson, who has criminal convictions for assault, using a fake passport, mortgage fraud and contempt of court.

The Reform leader has described the activist as a “repeated law breaker” and “not what we need”.

Last week, David Bick, the man being tipped to lead Norfolk Reform after next week’s election, warned Mr Eminson could be suspended from the party over his post relating to Mr Robinson.

Mr Eminson posing for a selfie with Mr Robinson (Image: Facebook)

Lakenham candidate Richard Eminson (Image: Facebook)

Mr Eminson - who called the activist an "icon" and took a selfie with him - is not the only Norfolk Reform candidate to be scrutinised over support for Mr Robinson.

Carl Katchpole, who is standing in Long Stratton and is the chairman of South Norfolk Reform, called for him to be released from prison on X last year.

The posts sparked South Norfolk’s Labour MP Ben Goldsborough to call for Reform to axe the candidate, and the party has since said it is looking into the messages.

Julian Kirk,  the leader of the Reform group at West Norfolk Council and the party’s candidate for Marshland North ward, also appears to have supported Mr Robinson when he shared a post from Elon Musk which had called for his release.

© Norwich Evening News