Bardella announced his withdrawal from the conference after claiming Bannon made a "gesture referring to Nazi ideology" during a speech on Thursday. Bannon was accused of giving a Nazi salute after he extended his right arm out with palm facing out after his address, though he has denied the claim.

Steve Bannon has been accused of making a Nazi salute at a conservative gathering where President Donald Trump is slated to speak this weekend, but says the gesture was merely “a wave.”

The gesture comes as Trump and his allies have prompted growing alarm among critics about their embrace of authoritarian messaging and symbols.