Nigel Farage says that white people who ‘black up’ their faces should not be seen as offensive and that this business of political correctness has “gone too far”.

Last week, former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read was forced to withdraw a song entitled “Ukip Calypso”, which he sang in a fake Caribbean accent, after it caused public outcry.

Earlier this month, David Cameron posed with a group of blacked-up Morris dancers at a folk festival in Banbury while on a family day out. Unsurprisingly, the picture attracted a mix of disbelief and criticism on social media.

Talking on ITV show The Agenda, Farage was asked if he thought it was offensive for a white man to black up his face.

“I don't think it is, no. We have really gone too far with all of this,” he said.

“There's a huge difference between people causing offence and people doing what Mike Read did and having a bit of fun.

“Or the other day when David Cameron was photographed with some people who were blacked up.”

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Several social media users noted that Farage was the only member of the panel, also including Sarah Vine, David Baddiel and Grace Dent, not be wearing a poppy to commemorate Remembrance Day . His reason? To wear a poppy too early is showy.

“Like many people Nigel won't wear a poppy before November 1,” a Ukip spokesperson told The Sun.

Video: Farage defends the Calypso song