Nigel Farage has whined about the Government’s EU reset agreement, but it turned out he missed a key update to the Commons because he has gone on holiday
Keir Starmer humiliates Nigel Farage in the Commons
Nigel Farage missed the chance to challenge Keir Starmer on his EU reset deal – because he had vanished off on holiday while the Commons was sitting.
The Reform UK leader has whined about the landmark agreement, which was announced on Monday. But he was missing when the Prime Minister appeared in front of MPs to outline the deal and take questions.
A Tory spokesman branded him a “part time leader” who is “sunning himself in Europe while Parliament is sitting”. The spokesman added: “He clearly doesn’t have the stamina to stand up to Starmer.”
Rumours had circulated Westminster for hours that the MP for Clacton, Essex, was on a walking holiday in France. Asked by The Mirror if this was correct he responded simply: “Rubbish sources.”
However he later put out a statement through Reform HQ stating: “There seems to be great consternation in the press that they have not seen me for 48 hours. Well, they will have to wait some time.
“After months of touring the UK in the run up to our hugely successful local election campaign I will resume travelling the country next week as Reform moves to the next stage. Meanwhile I am having my first overseas break for three years, the jungle excepted (he appeared in I’m A Celeb last year). Well I say break… plenty of articles and fundraising calls!”
Earlier the Prime Minister aimed a savage jibe at Mr Farage pointing out he was missing – saying it was a sign his party “simply do not care”.
The Commons does not go into recess until the end of Thursday. It is unclear whether the Reform leader intends to be back by then. With Mr Farage overseas it fell to his underling Richard Tice to quiz the Prime Minister.
Voicing his frustration that opponents were talking down the deal, which has been backed by dozens of business leaders, Mr Starmer said: “I wonder whether that long list of businesses coming out to support this deal will temper the reaction of the Leader of the Opposition (Kemi Badenoch) in her response.
“But then again, for weeks now, she has been dismissive of the benefits of any trade deal, in defiance, frankly, of her party’s history.
“But it’s not just them. It’s also the member for Clacton (Mr Farage) – who is not here – the member for Kingston (Sir Ed Davey), who have both shown in their own ways, that their parties simply do not care. And if your whole approach to our allies is about striking a pose, then you don’t get to strike a deal.”