Yorkshire MP embroiled in Nazi row with Nigel Farage and Reform UK

Mr Hollinrake, who is also the Thirsk and Malton MP, posted a link to a Wikipedia entry about a badge handed out to members of Adolf Hitler’s party in response to a social media post from Nigel Farage showing a Reform emblem on a black football shirt.

Tory former home secretary Suella Braverman said the comparison was “wrong, irresponsible and highly counter-productive”.

And Reform’s policy chief Zia Yusuf said: “This will be on leaflets and ad vans to the point of saturation, so every single one of their constituents knows: the Tories think that if you support Reform, you’re a Nazi.”

Conservative leader Mrs Badenoch brushed off the row, but said it was “wrong” to compare Reform to the Nazis.

She said: “Kevin Hollinrake made a joke. Reform spend a lot of time online abusing other politicians.”

Pointing to the 10-and-a-half-year sentence handed to Reform’s former leader in Wales Nathan Gill for bribery over pro-Russian speeches, she said: “I think they have much bigger problems.”

But Mr Hollinrake’s social media activity revealed unease about how to respond to Mr Farage’s threat to the Tories.

Mrs Braverman said: “I expect this from Labour, not the Conservatives.

“Let’s raise the level of debate: criticise the policies, even challenge the people or their actions.

“But comparing Reform and their supporters to Nazis is wrong, irresponsible and highly counter-productive. Kevin does not speak for me.”

A Tory spokesman added: “Reform are more interested in tweets than the shame of their leader in Wales being jailed for 10 years for being Putin’s stooge, or their plan to scrap the two-child benefit cap costing taxpayers more and more.

“Reform need to get off social media and explain why they’re so cozy with Russia and want more welfare.”