Sky News presenter Adam Boulton's recounting of three "racist incidents" aimed at EU citizens in Britain has drawn little sympathy from key Brexit campaigner Arron Banks.
The broadcaster had posted a message on Twitter saying he and his family had witnessed multiple instances of EU migrants being asked "when are you going home?".
It came amid a string of reports of 'post-referendum racism'.
Boulton wrote:
But his words prompted little sympathy from Arron Banks, co-founder of pro-Brexit group 'Leave.EU' and a prominent Ukip donor.
Adam Boulton retaliated, insisting both friends and members of his family had voted 'Leave'.
He then proceeded to admonish Banks for the tone of his reply, writing:
Banks defended his original response to the tweet documenting racism, putting Boulton's posts down to being "rather cross" with the referendum result.
"I don't believe for 1 min a racist backlash across the UK," he added.
The spat was included by the Independent's Jon Stone in a round-up of Banks' responses to those who claimed to have witnessed racist incidents after the historic June 23 vote.
"I think you just made that up," the Leave campaigner said in reply to a person who claimed they were told: "You look a bit European, when you fucking off?"
He also accused the parent of a child who was "taunted" of "telling her to be a victim".