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Anti-racism and fascism group HOPE Not Hate have won a legal challenge against Nigel Farage, forcing him to admit the group is not violent.

Campaigners sued the former Ukip leader for damages over claims he accused them of using “violent and undemocratic means”.

The group filed court papers saying comments made by Farage on LBC Radio after 12 died in a terror truck attack in Berlin were false.

When the former UKIP leader was asked about a tweet by Brendan Cox, the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, he said: “He backs organisations like HOPE not hate, who masquerade as being lovely and peaceful, but actually pursue violent and undemocratic means.”

Today the group revealed Mr Farage had accepted a settlement ahead of a scheduled court appearance tomorrow, under which he admitted the group was not violent.

(Image: AFP)

In a statement filed with the High Court, Mr Farage said: “Having now considered the position further I am happy to acknowledge that Hope not Hate does not tolerate or pursue violent or undemocratic behaviour.”

Nigel Farage has also agreed that he will not repeat this claim or allow anyone else to do so on his behalf.

If he makes any similar comments again, he could be held in contempt of court.

“I am delighted with this victory and that we’ve held Nigel Farage to account,” said HOPE not hate chief executive Nick Lowles.

“The case was about the truth and about HOPE not hate saying no to Nigel Farage’s attempts to smear us. For too long right-wing politicians have got away with smearing and abusing their opponents. We drew a line in the sand and ‘no more’.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

“We are an avowedly peaceful organisation and Farage’s false claims were deeply damaging to the vital work we do bringing communities together across cultural and religious divides.

“Anyone else repeating these smears or pursuing a false news agenda against our organisation should be put on note that we won’t hesitate to take further action to protect our reputation. We also hope this case sends a wider signal to that the days of right wing politicians smearing people will no longer be accepted.”

In a statement released after the settlement was announced, Mr Farage was unrepentant, and disputed HOPE Not Hate's claim of victory.

He said: “I am very surprised at Hope not Hate’s announcement today that they have won their legal case against me. Some victory! Their statement today is thoroughly disingenuous.

"It is the case that we’ve now resolved our dispute and I am perfectly happy to accept that the organisation doesn’t pursue violent or undemocratic means."

He added: "But the fact is that a number of individuals claiming to support them have in the past behaved violently and sought to intimidate and disrupt lawful political meetings."

Both sides paid their own legal costs in the dispute, and HOPE Not Hate were ordered to meet half of Mr Farage's costs for a half-day hearing on a technical matter, which amounted to £9,345.