A well-known Brexit campaigner has been branded racist for saying a 29-year-old black man "looks like" 65-year-old woman Diane Abbott .
Andy Wigmore, a long-time aide to Leave.EU founder Arron Banks who met Donald Trump with Nigel Farage, sparked outrage with his comment to second referendum activist Femi Oluwole.
He attacked the Our Future Our Choice campaigner after Mr Oluwole said parties that backed a second referendum were on "54.5% of the vote".
Mr Wigmore - who claims his comment was "rude but not racist" - wrote: "Have you eaten Diane Abbott Femi?
"You sound like her, you have a grasp of numbers second only to her AND you even look like her, although you have much more of a glowing complexion."
Mr Oluwole branded the comment "racist" and reported it to Twitter , though declined to report it to police.
He told the Mirror: "There’s no response. He’s saying I look like somebody I have nothing in common with physically speaking other than the colour of my skin. There’s nothing to say to that."
Change UK MP Anna Soubry branded the comments "revolting racist abuse".
She added: "Wigmore, his mate Farage et al do not represent the majority of British people.
"It’s time we stood up to them beginning with reporting this to Twitter and the police.”
Twitter user Martin Veart said: "Appalling racist abuse... No matter what they say: for some Brexit is all about racism."
Despite the outrage, Mr Wigmore claimed Twitter dealt with the complaint and did not suspend him.
He posted a screenshot of an email saying: "We have investigated the reported content and could not identify any violations of the Twitter Rules or applicable law.
"Accordingly, we have not taken any action at this time."
Asked if it was racist to say a 28-year-old black man looks like a 65-year-old black woman, Mr Wigmore told the Mirror: "It’s rude what I said but its not racist, complete fake outrage as usual.
"Everyone knows Diane Abbots grasp of numbers is not her strong point and clearly neither is Femis when it’s comes to the EU election results.
"As for his glowing completion I was just admiring his moisturising regime."
Told that still didn't account for his comments he said: "I look like that guy out of spandau ballet, am I offended ?
"The comparison had nothing to do with colour just the similarities in their inability to count."
