Supporters of the English Defence League were among those targeted by Leave.EU adverts

The Brexit campaign led by Nigel Farage has targeted supporters of far-right groups with Facebook advertisements in an attempt to stir up support for quitting the European Union.

Leave.EU used the social media site to direct adverts at users who had shown an interest in the British National party, National Front, Britain First and the English Defence League.

Pro-EU politicians said that the behaviour of Leave.EU, which is funded by the millionaire Ukip donor Arron Banks, was “beyond the pale”.

The controversy comes after Farage, the Ukip leader, was accused last week of evoking Enoch Powell’s infamous “rivers of blood” speech with his warnings about immigration.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat leader, said: “It is staggering that major players in the ‘leave’ campaign have been