Nigel Farage has hit back at Elon Musk after the tech billionaire suggested that Reform UK needs a new leader.

       Mr Musk said on social media platform X, which he owns, that Mr Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the growing political party.

       It comes after Mr Farage distanced himself from Mr Musk when the entrepreneur expressed support for jailed far-Right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

       The Reform UK leader replied to the post on Sunday by saying: "Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree.

       "My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles."

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       Yaxley-Lennon was jailed in October after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee.

       In December, Mr Farage confirmed that talks were under way about Mr Musk possibly donating as much as $100million (￡79million) to Reform UK.

       The Clacton MP travelled with Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy to US President-elect Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to meet the businessman.

       Reform UK members have shown their support for Mr Farage after Mr Musk's intervention.

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       Mark Simpson, the party's regional organiser for Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham, said: "We are fully behind you Nigel, we will keep going!"

       Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf and the party's deputy leader, Richard Tice, both reposted Mr Farage's reply.

       The party's MP for Ashfield, Lee Anderson, has previously said that Yaxley-Lennon would not be welcome in Reform UK.

       Referring to Yaxley-Lennon, Mr Farage told GB News: "We're a political party aiming to win the next general election. He's not what we need."

       Mr Anderson wrote on X: "I would not welcome Tommy Robinson into Reform UK."