Farage, the former leader of the anti-immigrant U.K. Independence Party and ally of President-elect Donald Trump, said that the attack in Germany was tragic but “no surprise.”

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“Terrible news from Berlin but no surprise. Events like these will be the Merkel legacy,” he wrote on Twitter.

His tweet prompted a reply from Brendan Cox, the husband of slain British lawmaker Jo Cox, who was a passionate advocate for refugees. Her assailant, far-right extremist Thomas Mair, was recently convicted of her murder and given a rare “whole life-term” sentence.

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“Blaming politicians for the actions of extremists? That's a slippery slope Nigel,” Cox wrote.

Following the Twitter exchange, Farage took to the airwaves where he criticized Cox for supporting Hope Not Hate, an anti-extremist research group.

Speaking to LBC Radio, Farage said: “Well, of course he would know more about extremists than me, Mr. Cox. He backs organizations like Hope Not Hate, who masquerade as being lovely and peaceful, but actually pursue violent and very undemocratic means.”

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“I am sorry Mr. Cox, but it is time people started to take responsibility for what has happened. Mrs. Merkel has directly caused a whole number of social and terrorist problems in Germany. It’s about time we confronted that truth.”

Following the death of Jo Cox, a fund was set up in her name with proceeds going to the charities Hope Not Hate, the Royal Voluntary Service and The White Helmets, a group of rescue workers in Syria.

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Hope Not Hate said that they were consulting with their lawyers over Farage’s comments, adding they didn’t know where they were coming from.

“We have no idea on what Mr Farage bases his outrageous comments. Hope Not Hate has a proud history of campaigning against extremism and hatred,” the group said in a statement.

Several of Jo Cox's Labour Party colleagues slammed Farage’s comments, with some calling them a “new low.”