Nigel Farage has expressed “regret” for controversial remarks he made about Romanians, saying he was “completely tired out” during an interview.

The Ukip leader was accused of racism after suggesting he would be concerned if a group of Romanians moved in next door during an LBC radio interview on Friday.

Initially, he insisted that he stood by his words, saying that people had a "perfect right" to be concerned if a group of Romanians moved in next door.

Download the new Independent Premium app Sharing the full story, not just the headlines

But on Sunday he said: "Do you know what, in life sometimes people get things wrong."

He told BBC News: "I regret the fact that I was completely tired out and I didn't use the form of words in response that I would have liked to have used.

"I should have just hit back immediately and said 'Look, understand there is a real problem here - you can't deny it - too much criminality from these gangs has come to London’.”