Former Ukip leader Gerard Batten claims Portsmouth's HMS Victory history 'rewritten' - but it isn't

Gerard Batten made the bizarre claim on Twitter and said the memorial plaque where Nelson died had been removed to be altered.

After dozens of people challenged his false claim about the Portsmouth-based ship, the politician said: ‘I heard that from the man responsible for the renovation at a dinner of the Nelson Society a few years ago.’

He was put right by The National Museum of the Royal Navy, which tweeted to tell him he was incorrect.

The organisation, which oversees Victory, tweeted: ‘We can confirm that this isn't true - we are committed to preserving the Royal Navy fleet, with HMS Victory about to undergo an extensive conservation project to ensure that she is preserved for generations to come.

'We encourage you to visit and see for yourself when we reopen.’

On Thursday Mr Batten had tweeted: ‘Did you know, HMS Victory has been ‘renovated’. Many references to Lord Nelson have been removed, incl the memorial plaque where he died.

‘The purpose was to change it from, ‘a memorial to Nelson & Trafalgar & just an example of a Ship of the Line’.

‘History is being deconstructed.’

Portsmouth Green Party activist Ian McCulloch replied: ‘Surprise, surprise, @GerardBattenUK is an idiot.

‘Obviously this story is completely untrue.’