Nigel Farage faced intense questioning during a tense Good Morning Britain interview on Tuesday, 23 June, with presenters Ed Balls and Ranvir Singh pressing him on a £5,000,000 'gift' from a Reform UK donor, sexism allegations within his party, and the party's substantial defeat in the Makerfield by-election.
Farage Defends Reform Candidate's 'Banter'
Ranvir Singh challenged Farage directly, labelling Makerfield's Reform candidate Robert Kenyon 'sexist' after Farage described him as 'a great bloke, plumber, rugby player, ex-army guy, drinker, one of the lads.' Farage maintained Kenyon's resurfaced remarks were 'banter' that can be overheard in pubs nationwide but 'in the cold light of day would not look good.'
Singh asked: 'You didn't ask him to apologise to say, for example, Carol Vorderman, was that a mistake on your part?' Farage responded: 'I think Carol Vorderman writing letters to every constituent and directly involving herself in the political campaign...' Singh noted that the former Countdown host had been 'brought into it' by Kenyon's remarks, while Ed Balls pointed out that Kenyon's words couldn't even be broadcast on Good Morning Britain as they were 'so bad.'
Ed Balls Pushes Back on Sexism Claims
As Farage insisted the same language would be heard in 'every pub tonight,' Balls countered: 'Most men do not say that kind of thing about women.' Farage continued: 'What was said by him was lad's banter, I don't approve of it at all. Not at all in any way.' He further stated he 'can't force people to apologise' but urged Kenyon to 'think very hard' about his remarks.
'I don't bully people,' he said, as Balls fired back, suggesting it sounded as though Farage was 'condoning it.' Farage responded: 'I've made it very clear, I don't approve of it, but these things do get said.'
Questioned on Appeal to Women Voters
Singh then probed the politician on whether he could win the next election without 'appealing better to women,' particularly after MP Sarah Pochin's comments about domestic violence and football, which has been criticised by women's rights charities. Farage replied: 'I can't really win here, I've got male and female people criticising me.' He added: 'We may have had a problem for the last week or two, but I can promise you in the local elections... There was no problem at all.'
Confrontation Over £5 Million Gift
As the conversation moved on to the next segment, Balls questioned Farage about a £5,000,000 gift he received from a billionaire backer before becoming an MP. Farage had revealed in a recent interview that in early 2024, a Reform UK donor gave him the money to pay for his security. He has since denied that it was a 'donation,' insisting it was a 'gift.'
The money is now being investigated by the Parliamentary Authority. Farage defended: 'I don't believe I've broken any rules of any kind at all, but it is, as you rightly say, under donation.' When Balls asked what it was like to receive £5,000,000 and whether it was like winning the lottery, Farage replied: 'It is in a way.'
Farage Claims Zero Public Expenses
'I'll tell you what you should ask me, why is it I am the only MP with zero public expenses? I haven't taken a penny off the taxpayer for any personal expenses since I got elected, so there you go,' he said. He went on: 'I chose not to take the money,' insisting he hasn't spent it. 'I've lived with more physical attacks than me than any other politician. The state has consistently refused to provide me with any protection at all.'
'Sadly, given how divisive politics is, I will need that for the rest of my days; I now don't need to worry about that.' As Balls compared it to a pension, Farage continued: 'I will need to be looked after for the rest of my life, having proper security is very expensive, if I live to a ripe old age, I will need it... until I die.' He added, 'It was given to me as a gift, it's unconditional. I can do with it as I wish, I can spend it on cars if I wish, but I'm not going to. There's a very specific purpose.'
Balls Presses on Rarity of £5M Gift
As Balls highlighted how rare it was for anyone to be gifted £5,000,000, Farage tried to turn it around, saying to the presenters: 'You could say the same about your salary compared to most viewers.' 'People do win the lottery, and there you are,' he added. 'How many people in Clacton have ever had a £5,000,000 gift?' Balls asked, as Farage hit back: 'How many Labour voters live in £4,000,000 houses in North London? This argument could go on and on.'
He added that people in the pub tonight watching the England match 'wouldn't care' about the £5,000,000 gift, adding: 'We'd have a laugh about it, of course.' 'I've always been good at buying my rounds, I can assure you,' he concluded.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX.
