A man has been arrested for abusing gay poverty campaigner Jack Monroe on Twitter.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a 22-year-old man had been taken in for questioning following an investigation into a series of tweets.

The Guardian columnist was forced off of the social media site after she received a barrage of “hate” messages from trolls.

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view. From 15p €0.18 $0.18 $0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

One account in particular claimed to be that of former Ukip election candidate Alex Wood, but has since been found to be a fake.

“Your sick form of Lesbianism and militant queerism is destroying this country. Get out and give us Britain back! #VoteUKIP” the mock profile tweeted at Monroe.

“@MsJackMonroe I think you’re an absolute disgrace as well, Queers should all be sterilised. #VoteUKIP2015.”

The party, led by Nigel Farage, dismissed the account was “vile” and reported it to the police.

“UKIP utterly denounces the vile and uncalled for twitter troll that is masquerading as Alex Wood,” a Ukip spokesperson told Pink News at the time.

“We are very sorry for the offence it has caused and treat it and the sentiments it expresses with the contempt it deserves.

Shape Created with Sketch. Ukip's confusing policies Show all 7 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Ukip's confusing policies 1/7 Deport migrants Ukip MP Mark Reckless suggested he would deport existing EU migrants, a policy Nigel Farage rejected out of hand. Reuters 2/7 US-style NHS Farage was caught on film in 2012 saying healthcare headed towards insurance-based system, though he has since said he would keep it free at the point of use. Universal Images 3/7 Handbag tax Ukip Economy spokesman Patrick O'Flynn said he would introduce a tax on high-price items like shoes, Nigel Farage disowned this idea. 4/7 Same-sex couple adoption Ukip candidate Winston McKenzie likened adoption by same-sex couples to "child abuse", but the party rejects that view. PA 5/7 Gay marriage? In early 2014 Ukip released a statement saying it would review its gay marriage policy, but later said that was an error. AFP/Getty Image 6/7 Sex education u-turn Nigel Farage told Leaders Live that he backed sex education for under-11s but later admitted that is not Ukip policy. Getty 7/7 Deleted manifesto The 2010 party manifesto has been deleted from Ukip's website and disowned by Nigel Farage, though he claims his will have a "similar flavour". EPA 1/7 Deport migrants Ukip MP Mark Reckless suggested he would deport existing EU migrants, a policy Nigel Farage rejected out of hand. Reuters 2/7 US-style NHS Farage was caught on film in 2012 saying healthcare headed towards insurance-based system, though he has since said he would keep it free at the point of use. Universal Images 3/7 Handbag tax Ukip Economy spokesman Patrick O'Flynn said he would introduce a tax on high-price items like shoes, Nigel Farage disowned this idea. 4/7 Same-sex couple adoption Ukip candidate Winston McKenzie likened adoption by same-sex couples to "child abuse", but the party rejects that view. PA 5/7 Gay marriage? In early 2014 Ukip released a statement saying it would review its gay marriage policy, but later said that was an error. AFP/Getty Image 6/7 Sex education u-turn Nigel Farage told Leaders Live that he backed sex education for under-11s but later admitted that is not Ukip policy. Getty 7/7 Deleted manifesto The 2010 party manifesto has been deleted from Ukip's website and disowned by Nigel Farage, though he claims his will have a "similar flavour". EPA

“We have been in contact with Twitter and hope that they will delete the account as quickly as possible. So to people like Jack Monroe and Owen Jones we can only feel sympathy, no matter our differences they do not deserve these coarse and unpleasant attacks.

“Political discourse can be robust but must keep within boundaries of decency. We are also concerned that a young man is having his own name and reputation dragged through the mud, again.”

The man has since named himself as Joshua Bonehill. Speaking about his arrest via a post on his website, on which he describes himself as “the future of nationalism”, he wrote:

“Earlier today I was arrested in connection with some funny tweets sent to a prolific lesbian and feminist. Having been detained in custody for 15 hours, today I return victorious.

“I am without computer or laptop for the time being and I am not on Twitter despite the numerous accounts claiming to be me. In regards to my arrest, I find the whole ordeal sickening that White British people are being persecuted for Free Speech. I will continue to campaign tirelessly for the right to Free Speech and my own suffering in this battle is nothing compared to the suffering of the people as a whole.

“I will not comment on my guilt or innocence at this time being but I am confident the police investigation will reveal the truth. This momentous occasion marks my 15th arrest for Free Speech.

“In regards to the Tweets sent to Jack Monroe, I have seen them and believe them to be of a comical nature and commend the level of free speech used.”

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

At The Independent, no one tells us what to write. That’s why, in an era of political lies and Brexit bias, more readers are turning to an independent source. Subscribe from just 15p a day for extra exclusives, events and ebooks – all with no ads.

Subscribe now