The Reform UK parliamentary candidate for Welwyn Hatfield has defended saying Adolf Hitler was "brilliant" at inspiring people into action.

In an X post from 2022, Mr Aaron said the Nazi dictator was "brilliant" at using socionics personality traits to "inspire people into action", before criticising his "basically incoherent writing and rationale".

In other comments, he said Vladimir Putin’s use of force in Ukraine was "legitimate", and that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was "gentle by nature".

When asked for comment, Mr Aaron doubled down and defended his claims, saying: Yes, Hitler was as brilliant as he was utter evil.

"How is that controversial to say, given that he was able to turn the Germans to such destructive acts, including killing many members of my own family?

"I strongly believe, as a psychologist, in separating intelligence and talent from morality, so that we can adequately diagnose problems and help people.

"By no means am I saying Hitler or Putin or al-Assad are good people that we should admire. They range from the absolutely ingenious evil to wannabe warlord to weak man born into a brutal regime of death and destruction."

In an interview with LBC Radio, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage backed Mr Aaron, saying: "This is utter nonsense.

"It’s rather like, if you asked me, you know, was Hitler a good public speaker? And I say yes – suddenly I’m a supporter. This is nonsense."

Reform UK has been seen a number of its candidates hit by scandal ahead of the July 4 General Election, with Mr Farage claiming they had been "let down" by the vetting firm they had employed.

"Have we had trouble with one or two candidates? Yes, we have," he added.

"We paid a large sum of money to a well-known vetting company, and they didn’t do the work.

"We have been stitched up politically, and that’s given us problems. And I accept that and I’m sorry for that."

Mr Aaron is standing against Conservative candidate Grant Shapps - who is up for re-election - Labour's Andrew Lewin, Liberal Democrat candidate John Munro, and Green Party candidate Sarah Butcher.