A leading conservative Republican has attacked Steve Bannon over the stunning defeat of his candidate in Alabama, saying he “looks like some dishevelled drunk who wandered on to the political stage”.

As Republicans reeled from Democrat Doug Jones’ victory over former judge Roy Moore, the party was quick to blame Mr Bannon, Donald Trump’s former strategist, who had forced a primary to make Mr Moore the candidate.

Mr Bannon believed Mr Moore, 70, would win and provide the momentum for him to launch other so-called insurgent candidates in the 2018 midterm elections.

After Mr Jones pulled off his win, New York Congressman Peter King was quick to attack Mr Bannon and blame him for the defeat in the solidly conservative state, which has reduced the Republican majority in the senate to just 51-49.

“This guy does not belong on the national stage. He looks like some dishevelled drunk who wandered on to the political stage,” he said on CNN.

Roy Moore spokesman rendered speechless when asked if he knew people can be sworn in with a text other than the Christian bible

“I consider myself a conservative Republican. I consider myself an Irish Catholic. And he sort of parades himself out there with his weird alt-right views that he has and to me it's demeaning the whole governmental, political process.”

Mr King said he had called on Mr Trump go get rid of Mr Bannon in the summer and that the result in Alabama was “really just a revulsion by people over Bannon’s style and divisive views”.

Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Show all 12 1 /12 Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic senatorial candidate Doug Jones speaks to reporters after voting Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore (L) and his wife Kayla ride their horses to the polling station to vote AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones David Watson waves in a Santa suit as he holds a Doug Jones sign AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senatorial candidate Roy Moore speaks to the media as his wife Kayla (R) looks on AFP/Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones casts his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Roy Moore speaks to the media after he rode in on a horse to vote AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic candidate Doug Jones greets supporters after casting his ballot AP Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore departs on horseback after he cast his ballot in Gallant REUTERS Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters wait in line to cast their ballot at a polling station setup in the St Thomas Episcopal Church Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Senatorial candidate Doug Jones (L) greets voters outside of a polling station at the Bessemer Civic Center Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Voters exit after casting their ballots at a polling station setup in the Fire Department Getty Images Alabama Senate race: Roy Moore vs Doug Jones Democratic Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones speaks with the media after casting his vote at Brookwood Baptist Church Reuters

Asked if Mr King was calling Mr Bannon a dishevelled drunk, he replied: “No, it was very precise. I said he looks like one.”

He said he was also not concerned if his comments resulted in a response from Mr Bannon.

“I have no problem. Listen, you have to fight for what’s right,” he said.