Oxford University students called 'inbred' by ex-Ukip leadership candidate Raheem Kassam

'Serious amounts of inbreeding... but you still have a better chance than Suzanne Evans'

Mr Kassam withdrew from the Ukip leadership contest this week claiming he thought it unlikely he would win (BBC)

Former Ukip leadership candidate Raheem Kassam has been called out for hurling abuse at Oxford students, just hours after withdrawing from the race.

Mr Kassam, a former aide to Nigel Farage, swapped insults with students about their appearance and political views on the Open Oxford Facebook page, commenting that they were "inbred" and "chinless".

Posting a link to news coverage of Mr Kassam’s decision to stand down, one Facebook group member said: "Why are Ukip such a farce?"

A debate ensued within the group forum, with Christ Church student Loius McEvoy goading that Mr Kassam was a “piece of dog s***” and a “talentless f***er”.

A few hours later, students were surprised to receive a response from Mr Kassam appearing to comment on Mr McEvoy’s appearance, before mocking Suzanne Evans, who is still in the race to become Ukip leader.

"At least I've got a chin," he said.

A journalist and commentator for Brietbart news website, Mr Kassam is no stranger to controversy.

His abortive leadership campaign came with the tagline “Make Ukip Great Again”, echoing US presidential candidate Donald Trump’s own slogan.

(Jake Hurfurt (Jake Hurfurt)

Last week it emerged he had called fellow leadership contender Suzanne Evans “a wrinkley old ginger bird,” and was forced to apologise for saying Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon should have her legs taped shut to stop her reproducing.

Engaging with Facebook users on Monday, Mr Kassam called Mr McEvoy, 20, “a chinless wonder”, a “Remaniac” and a “child”, before turning his wit on students who questioned why he was throwing insults on Facebook discussion forum.

When another student joined in with the dispute between Mr McEvoy and Mr Kassam, the former Ukip candidate appeared to mock the students’ facial features, commenting: “Serious amounts of inbreeding going on here”.

Announcing his withdrawal from the Ukip leadership campaign on Facebook earlier that day, Mr Kassam said it was because he thought it unlikely he would win.

He said in a statement: “As of today, I am formally suspending my campaign to be Ukip leader… This was a very difficult decision, and I want to thank everyone who supported me in the process.”

Mr Kassam added that party leaders were treating the race “like a coronation” and that he had faced “disgraceful treatment” from the media.

”When Times journalists show up at my elderly parents' house, intimidating them, I draw the line,“ he said.

Posting on Facebook several hours after the row, Mr McEvoy said Mr Kassam was still engaging with him online.

When asked for comment, he said the dispute was representative of “the continuing, tragicomic failure of Ukip as a political force”.

“That this man was a genuine candidate for the leadership of the country’s third biggest political party… is both hilarious and horrifying”.

Mr Kassam and Ukip have been contacted for comment.