One Nation WA head Colin Tincknell has issued a final warning to renegades in the party, telling them to back the preference deal with the Liberals or run as independents.

Colin Barnett was again left trying explain that the preference swap did not mean the Liberals supported the views of One Nation candidates, as another of them found himself in the spotlight for racist and homophobic comments.

But the Liberal deal found support yesterday, with former prime minister John Howard calling it a “sensible, pragmatic decision”.

Reports circulated yesterday that about 20 candidates unhappy with the Liberal deal were planning a meeting this weekend, but Mr Tincknell dismissed the claim, saying there were less than four people he knew of who were disgruntled.

“We’re saying to them, you are now a part of One Nation. They will learn that if they don’t do the right thing ... they can’t stay a part of the One Nation party. But we don’t have the view of the media and we think these guys will stay,” he said.

“They’ll be given a few days to make a decision about their stance, and if they fall in line with our policies, of course they’ll continue to be our candidate.

“If they decide to go against what our policies are, we’ll do what every other political party does and move them on. They’ll probably make the decisions themselves and run as independents.”

As PM in 2001, Mr Howard demanded that State branches place One Nation candidates last on how-to-vote tickets. But yesterday he said he understood why the WA Liberals had made the deal now.

“This is a different set of circumstances I think it’s entirely sensible that the party has done what’s it’s done,” he said.

One Nation Upper House candidate Richard Eldridge had to defend racist and homophobic remarks against Muslims and gays made on social media five years ago.

Mr Barnett said he found some of the comments abhorrent. “In absolutely no way do I support or endorse the candidates or policies of One Nation — we are simply dealing with a complex voting system and trying to maximise votes for the Liberal Party,” he said.

Mr Tincknell said One Nation did not back Mr Eld-ridge’s views. But he accepted his explanation that the posts were “locker room” talk.