TikTok has admitted that it took down a “cluster” of accounts backing a pro-Russian far-right nationalist who has emerged as the lead contender in Romania’s presidential election.

Brie Pegum, global head of product at the Chinese social media company, was grilled by the European parliament on Tuesday over the role the platform played in the Romanian vote. Bucharest has asked Brussels to open an investigation into how TikTok’s algorithms allegedly favoured C?lin Georgescu, the fringe candidate who surprisingly topped the first round of voting.

Pegum said two “clusters” of accounts backing Georgescu and another candidate were in violation of the platform’s rules banning unmarked political advertising. The other candidate that benefited from this type of support was former Nato deputy chief Mircea Geoan?, Pegum said. Geoan? secured 6 per cent of the vote.