Nigel Farage says Elon Musk was just trying to encourage him with tweet jibing that he doesnt have what it takes to lead Reform

Nigel Farage has claimed Elon Musk was just trying to encourage him by tweeting that he doesnt have what it takes.

The Reform leader tried to shrug off the spat with the billionaire - who had previously been rumoured to be considering a $100million donation to the party.

In a BBC interview, Mr Farage said the pair had since discussed the jibe, insisting Mr Musk says what he wants to say at any moment in time.  

The Tesla boss took aim at his fellow Donald Trump ally in January during a dispute over jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson - real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Before the row they had been pictured cosying up at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort. 

But Mr Musk subsequently expressed support for the now-Independent MP Rupert Lowe, suggesting he could take over Reform.

Appearing on Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Farage was asked whether Mr Musk had apologised for making him look a bit daft.

Before the row, Nigel Farage and Elon Musk had been pictured cosying up at Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in December

In a BBC interview, Mr Farage said the pair had since discussed the jibe, insisting Mr Musk says what he wants to say at any moment in time

After revealing that they had spoken about the episode, Mr Farage dodged on whether he had received an apology.

Do you know what, he has been attacking half of Trumps Cabinet this week, Elon says what he wants to say at any moment in time, he said. 

Pressed on what Mr Musk had said, Mr Farage said: He was just trying to encourage me in a few policy areas, ones I wasnt prepared to go down.

Mr Farage has consistently refused to allow Yaxley-Lennon to join his political parties, describing him as thuggish.

Mr Musk began making supportive comments about the far-right figure in January during a row over the handling of group-based child sexual exploitation in towns around the UK.

Despite the split with Mr Musk, Mr Farage has continued to praise the billionaire, insisting they are still on good terms.

He describing him as a hero during an appearance at a right-wing conference in America in February.

The Clacton MP said at the CPAC gathering: I think he is a hero, because if you remember 2020, in November, you couldnt say anything about the conduct of the election in this country.

You then couldnt say anything about vaccines or about lockdowns without social media closing you down.

And then along came the hero of free speech, Elon Musk.