Tetchy Nigel Farage accused Keir Starmer of telling ‘complete lies’ about his jolly to the US after being confronted by The Mirror about whether he was ‘patriotic’
Tetchy Nigel Farage accused Keir Starmer of telling “complete lies” about his jolly to the US after being confronted by The Mirror about whether he was “patriotic”.
During PMQs today, the Prime Minister launched a blistering attack on the Reform UK leader for missing the return to Parliament – and said he believes he has flown to DC to “badmouth” Britain and “to lobby the Americans to impose sanctions on this country”.
It comes amid reports the right-wing politician will suggest the White House enforces “trade” measures to get itself exempt from the online regulation in the UK.
Asked by The Mirror whether he thinks it’s patriotic to call on the US to slap trade sanctions on the UK, shameless Mr Farage hit back: “I’ve never said anything of the kind. Complete lies from the Prime Minister. It shows you how much trouble they’re in. Complete lies.”
READ MORE: Nigel Farage no-show chaos at hard-right US conference as he misses anti-migrant speech
When it was pointed out that it was reported in his statement in today’s papers, Mr Farage said: “No it isn’t.
“What I say is there are trade implications for this – and there are very serious trade implications that will damage both us and American companies. Sanctions is not mentioned at all.”
During PMQs, Mr Starmer took aim at Mr Farage’s absence in the Commons chamber. “The honourable member for Clacton (Mr Farage) is not here representing his constituents in the House that he was elected to,” the PM said. “No, he’s flown to America to badmouth and talk down our country.
“And worse than that Mr Speaker, if you can believe it, I do believe he’s gone there to lobby the Americans to impose sanctions on this country, which will harm working people. You cannot get more unpatriotic than that. It’s a disgrace.”
In DC, Mr Farage will today tell the US Congress Britain has become an “illiberal and authoritarian censorship regime” and criticise the UK’s online safety regulations. The Clacton MP will suggest the White House use “diplomacy and trade” to get US based firms an exemption from the UK’s regulators, the Sun reported.
In his address to the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation into “Europe’s threat to American Speech and Innovation”, Mr Farage is expected to defend Lucy Connolly, who admitted to and was convicted of inciting hatred and violence after calling for migrant hotels to be set on fire.
He will also reportedly raise the case of comedian Graham Linehan, who was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence in relation to posts about trans people on X.
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