Reform UK has backed one of its county council election candidates in Leicestershire after local Conservatives called for him to be suspended over a racist comment he posted on Facebook in 2013.
The remark, by Coalville North candidate Elliott Allman, accused black drivers of tailgating on the M1 and was re-posted by the X account Reform Party UK Exposed on 2 April.
Mr Allman responded on the same platform, saying: "Fail to see your point. What it shows is a fantastic maturing and development stage. I'm glad you've highlighted this to me. It reminds me of how far I've come."
Reform UK said it was confident Mr Allman's views had matured since the post.
