PHYSICAL exertion and lack of sleep are to blame for Britain’s racism epidemic, according to a new study.

Medical researchers tested 200 people and found that those who had less than six hours sleep, or had been carrying heavy bags, were 80 per cent more likely to despise someone because of their ethnicity.

Dr Julian Cook said: “For example, Nigel Farage would not believe all Romanians are thieves if he just spent an extra 90 minutes a day sitting or lying down.”

Dr Cook also revealed that racism peaks during late spring and summer as antihistamines cause some hay fever sufferers to become drowsy and filled with ethnic hatred.

He added: “I would not be remotely surprised if Nigel Farage was allergic to pollen.”

The researchers found that physical tiredness releases a ‘brain chemical’ which creates a rush of hormones, resulting in horrible interviews, bizarre social media postings and angry leaflets being handed out in shopping centres.

Last year, documents revealed the Ku Klux Klan was founded as a birdwatching society but became racist after the members stayed up all night taking about geese.