A UKIP election candidate has been caught posting a catalogue of racist and sexist tweets directed at women and Muslims.

Businessman Tony Pycroft, who is standing in Selby, North Yorkshire, published a string of vile “jokes” on social media prompting fears Ukip officials were failing to vet prospective MPs.

5 Ukip candidate posted a number racist tweets Credit: Beat the Bailiff

They included a photo of patio umbrellas that looked like the traditional Muslim niqab dress with the caption: “I spent half an hour trying to talk to them, to learn about their culture.”

He also ridiculed Muslim dress by posting an image of Islamic “emojis” and put up a photo of a distressed Muslim man captioned: “When your son’s name is Allah Akbar and you lose him at the mall.”

Travelling to Washington for Donald Trump’s inauguration, he posted a photo of a cocktail with the caption: “My First Virgin Red Head of the Day.”

5 The businessman took a swipe a Muslims

5 Pycroft sent a series of vile messages on his social media page

And in one of the most disgusting links, the 49-year-old wrote: “I’m sick of people knocking on my door begging. There’s just been a woman asking for donations for a sperm bank. I gave her a right mouthful.”

Ten years ago David Cameron famously described Ukip as mostly “fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists”.

But last night local Tory candidate Nigel Adams said he was shocked by the content of the tweets.

5 Tory candidate Nigel Adams was shocked by the tweets Credit: Selby.gov.uk

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He said: “I am surprised Ukip are endorsing Mr Pycroft as a prospective candidate given the nature of some of his posts.

“I am sure the voters of Selby will decide whether someone who publishes material like this on social media deserves their vote.”

5 David Cameron famously described Ukip as mostly 'fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists' Credit: Getty Images

A Ukip spokesman said they were conducting an investigation.

Mr Pycroft, who appears to be in the US, according to his Twitter page, did not respond to requests for a comment.