Hillary Clinton accuses Nigel Farage of stoking 'anti-immigrant sentiments' during EU referendum

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton took aim at Republican rival Donald Trump during a campaign stop in Reno, Nevada on Thursday (25 August), before taking outspoken Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, to task over his political views.

Clinton's comments come a day after Farage joined Trump on the campaign trail at a Mississippi rally. She claimed that Farage had "stoked anti-immigrant sentiments" as part of the Leave campaign, which led to a successful Brexit vote during the country's EU referendum.

"Farage has called for a ban on the children of legal immigrants from public schools and health services, has said women are quote 'worth less' than men, and supports scrapping laws that prevent employers from discriminating based on race—that's who Trump wants by his side," the former secretary of state said.

The Democratic nominee later suggested that Farage and Russian President Vladimir Putin were linked to each other. "In fact, Farage has appeared regularly on Russian propaganda programmes," she said. "Now he's standing on the same stage as the Republican nominee."

Farage, disputed Clinton's remarks, telling Breitbart London he believes her comments are "extraordinary". "I think Hillary Clinton is running scared. Her attacks on me are completely baseless. She sounds rather like Bob Geldof and can't accept Brexit," Farage said.

He continued: "Perhaps Mrs Clinton should spend more time speaking to normal, working people in her country than trying to attack me using dodgy half-quotes."

Breitbart London reported that Farage did not suggest that the children of legal immigrants should be banned from public schools but instead said people who have not paid into the UK tax system should not benefit from public money until they pay in. Farage has, however, said that women who take maternity leave are perceived by employers to be "worth less" and supported getting rid of EU discrimination laws.

Clinton also spent considerable time attacking her rival, claiming the Trump Campaign has been built on "prejudice and paranoia". "He's taking hate groups mainstream and helping a radical fringe take over one of America's two major political parties," Clinton said. "His disregard for the values that make our country great is profoundly dangerous."

The Democratic nominee questioned Trump's recent focus on black and Latino voters. "It takes a lot of nerve to ask people he's ignored and mistreated for decades, "What do you have to lose?" The answer is everything!" she said. Clinton then accused her bombastic rival of "reinforcing harmful stereotypes and offering a dog whistle to his most hateful supporters."

In response, Trump said she "is the only one fear-mongering," adding she should be "ashamed of herself!" He added on Twitter: "Hillary Clinton is using race-baiting to try to get African-American voters- but they know she is all talk and NO ACTION!"