BRISTOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Leader of Ukip Nigel Farage (R) holds a press conference with the party's new donor Arron Banks on October 1, 2014 in Bristol, England. Former Tory donor, businessman Arron Banks has pledged to give Ukip a ?1,000,000 GBP donation. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Influential Brexit donor Arron Banks has described homosexuality as a “lifestyle choice”.

Mr Banks rose to prominence as the biggest donor to the UK Independence Party, before bankrolling the pro-Brexit Leave.EU campaign.

The conservative businessman spoke out this week after PinkNews revealed that the candidate he endorsed for UKIP leader, David Kurten, claimed that homosexuality is the result of childhood sexual abuse.

Taking to Twitter, Mr Banks branded the PinkNews story about his candidate “fake news”.

When PinkNews questioned his remark, Mr Banks began to volunteer surreal opinions of his own about gay people.

He said: “everybody has accepted homosexuality, it’s not an issue anymore. Doesn’t mean we need our kids persuaded that it’s a great lifestyle choice!”

Responding to critics, he added: “I’m not for it or against it, and no one really cares any more. But children shouldn’t have stuff pumped at them at school.

“Everybody bored rigid by the whole ‘Gay crusade’! How about kids get to enjoy school without gender , gay , feminism, and any other ism!”

He also suggested that “impressionable” young children are being “pumped” with homosexuality.

Meanwhile, Mr Banks lashed out at UKIP’s former Deputy Chair Suzanne Evans, who had criticized Mr Kurten.

He said: “If you are upsetting the wicked witch of the east @SuzanneEvans1 must be doing something right! A lot of people agree with you

“See @SuzanneEvans1 up to her old tricks , malicious stuff from the person who helped Carswell & co destroy the party @andywigmore”

PinkNews broke the news yesterday that David Kurten, an elected member of the London Assembly and a candidate for UKIP leader, had made comments linking homosexuality to childhood sexual abuse.

Asked if he believes sexual orientation is “fixed at birth” in an online Q&A with UKIP website ‘Support 4 the Family’, Mr Kurten suggested that homosexuality is the result of childhood sexual abuse.

He said: “The latest scientific studies show that incidence of homosexuality in adults decreases with age, so it is unlikely to be fixed at birth. Study after study also shows that the incidence of homosexuality is much higher among people who have been sexually abused as children. This is an issue which needs to be addressed but is not because of political correctness.”

Peter Whittle, UKIP’s only other member of the London Assembly, hit out at the comments.

Mr Whittle, who is openly gay, said: “This is so wrong on every level. Neither I, nor any of the gay friends and colleagues I have known over 35 years, were sexually abused.”

In a separate statement, the leaders of the LGBT* in UKIP group said: “LGBT* in UKIP have been made aware of the disgraceful, offensive, homophobic and transphobic comments published by PinkNews quoting David Kurten.

“We call for those who are vetting the leadership candidates to be made aware of these remarks and that they are taken into consideration whilst the panel determine the candidates application.

“Further to this, we call for immediate suspension pending full investigation with purpose to review such comments as a representative of the party, not only as an Education spokesperson but also a London Assembly member.”

Speaking to PinkNews, UKIP’s former Deputy Chair Suzanne Evans described Mr Kurten as “not fit for elected office” – despite him being one of the party’s few remaining elected figures.

Ms Evans told PinkNews: “David Kurten’s comments are utterly disgraceful.

“Sadly I am not surprised by them: Kurten has on numerous occasions shown himself to be vehemently opposed to homosexuality, yet as a protege of Nigel Farage, thrust forward onto the London Assembly, his obvious flaws have so far been ignored.

“In my opinion he is not fit for elected office nor leadership of a political party.”