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The Bristol businessman who ‘bankrolled Brexit’ has sparked shock and outrage after he said there should be a ban on Muslims entering the UK, and that mosques in this country should be ‘levelled’.

Arron Banks took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to discuss the UKIP leadership contest, and ended up being challenged on his controversial views on Islam.

In a revealing exchange on social media, his own supporters acknowledged that his far-right views mirrored those of the National Front and the BNP – and that they had tried and failed to bring in such draconian policies.

The Go Skippy founder, who lives near Thornbury and funds the Leave.EU campaign from Cribbs Causeway, was answering questions from opponents and supporters on Twitter, when one posted a link to a report of a survey which revealed in February that people across Europe supported the principle of a ban on Muslim immigration.

That came at a time when US President Donald Trump was trying to impose one in America, and Mr Banks said he agreed.

“I’m in favour of a Muslim ban into the UK until we deal with the issue we have. I get it perfectly well,” he tweeted.

Many supporters said they agreed, but others questioned what ‘issues’ he meant, and one accused him of ‘hatred’.

Mr Banks then answered one tweeter’s accusation that wasn’t fanatical enough to tackle Islamic fundamentalism, and he appeared to advocate existing mosques in this country be ‘levelled’.

“If banning Muslim immigration and levelling all Saudi/ Qatari funded mosques isn't strong enough for you , I'm not sure what is!” he added.