A Ukip candidate for Glasgow Council has compared being gay to her attraction to gorillas.

Gisela Allen made the startling remarks to prove why she believes gay people should keep their sexuality a secret and the LGBT community need not exist.

Ms Allen, who is standing for election in the Garscadden Scotstounhill ward, argued an individual’s sexuality was a “private affair” and did not need to be announced “openly”.

“I am not anti-gay – but how can you call that a community? Sex life is everybody’s private affair,” she told the Sunday Herald over the weekend.

“You do not come out and declare openly. Do you think I am going all over the city and saying my idea of a sexually-attractive creature is a gorilla?”

“When I go to a zoo and I see a gorilla my hormones go absolutely crazy. I find a gorilla very attractive.”

But a spokesperson for the UK Independence Party has now insisted Ms Allen was joking when making the remarks.

“She was taking the mick out of the Herald journalist,” they told The Independent. “She is absolutely flabberghasted that anybody would take her seriously”.

Ms Allen has drawn heavy criticism and ridicule for comparing bestiality to homosexuality on Twitter.

“She literally compared homosexuality to the fact that she wants to f*** an actual gorilla, honestly Ukip is a circus of horrors,” said Zach Green.

Key Faces of UKIP Show all 11 1 /11 Key Faces of UKIP Key Faces of UKIP Nigel Farage Getty Key Faces of UKIP United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Migration spokesman Steven Woolfe addresses supporters and media personnel in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP Robert Kilroy-Silk, former television presenter and newly elected member of the European Parliament for the UK Independence Party (UKIP), shows a placard against the European Constitution in front of the Houses of Parliament Getty Key Faces of UKIP Mark Reckless, Director of Policy Development addresses party members during the UK Independence Party annual conference at Doncaster Racecourse Getty Key Faces of UKIP Gerard Batten MEP poses with protesters outside parliament Creative Commons Key Faces of UKIP Diane James gives an address at the UKIP Autumn Conference in Bournemouth Getty Key Faces of UKIP Douglas Carswell MP speaks to party members and supporters during the UK Independence Party annual conference Getty Key Faces of UKIP Suzanne Evans, Deputy Party Chairman of UK Independence Party (UKIP) speaks during the launch of UKIP's election manifesto Getty Key Faces of UKIP Peter Whittle, the UK Independence Party Member of the London Assembly, is interviewed in central London Getty Key Faces of UKIP MEP Mike Hookem during a visit to Concept Metal Products & Co Ltd Getty Key Faces of UKIP Paul Nuttall, Deputy Leader of the UK Independence Party speaks at a Say NO, Believe in Britain debate at Carn Brea Leisure Centre in Pool near Redruthon Getty

“Her ignorance really is astounding! Comparing sexualising a gorilla with being gay!?” added another critic.

“When it comes to selecting newsworthy candidates, UKIP really does set the bar high,” quipped Benjamin Gravestock.

A Stonewall spokesperson told The Independent: "Stonewall is working towards a world where everyone is accepted without exception.

"Being visible as a lesbian, gay, bi or trans person is crucial to creating inclusive environments and furthering equality. Stonewall offers a range of programmes for LGBT role models for this reason. These include our School Role Models, Faith Role Models and Young Campaigners programme."

Ms Allen first made headlines on Friday for an article she had written in the Clydebank Post. In the piece, which was widely shared on social media, the local politician said she wanted the death penalty to be reinstated and argued the guillotine might be a better method of execution than hanging.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be hanging. You could have the guillotine. I think the public is entitled to protection," she said.

These were not the only controversial remarks she made in the article. She also said the SNP were a “public danger” and we are “heading for World War Three”. What's more, the politician said she wanted to see nursery funding withdrawn because women with young children should stay at home and care for them.

Nurseries are not the only entity Ms Allen wants to see slashed, she also said she wants to abolish golf courses, free bus passes, plastic bags, and sex education in schools. However, she did express her support for riding stables, saying: “It’s very important children work with horses and ride horses".