Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, engaged in a heated confrontation with Times editor Tony Gallagher, reportedly using expletives, after learning the paper planned to publish a story about his houses. Sources close to Farage described the exchange as a "strong confrontation," surprising even his allies. Farage argued the story endangered his family by revealing the location of a property where one of his children lives.
Reform UK's fragile media relations
The clash comes at a delicate time for Reform UK's relationship with Britain's rightwing press. Coverage from News UK titles, including the Times and the Sun, as well as the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail, has turned negative in recent days. Questions about Farage's funding and finances, alongside two byelection defeats, have shifted the narrative.
Trevor Kavanagh, the Sun's veteran political commentator and a figure close to Rupert Murdoch, wrote: "We are witnessing the sudden death of a political movement which began as the UK Independence party, morphed into the Brexit party, and now Reform. Or, to simply name names, Nigel Farage." This damning verdict reflects the changing tone.
Byelection gamble and Conservative jibes
The Telegraph has given column inches to Reform figures to air grievances but also described Farage's decision to contest the Clacton byelection as a "summer gamble" and a farce. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch stated in the Telegraph: "The Conservative party is for serious people, not a retirement home for failed politicians," a swipe at Reform's collection of former Tory defectors.
The Daily Mail ran a positive interview with Farage but an editorial noted: "How quickly times – and political fortunes – can change. It is only weeks since Reform UK's rise appeared almost unstoppable. But two byelection defeats and concerns over leader Nigel Farage's financial affairs have significantly altered the landscape."
Times defends its journalism
A Times spokesperson responded: "We stand by our journalism, and do not accept that the published photograph identified the location of any property or presented a security risk." Figures within Reform, however, argue that the death of Ann Widdecombe underscores their security concerns. A senior News UK figure has reportedly reached out to Farage for a meeting.
Farage's Leveson reference angers media leaders
Farage's decision to invoke the Leveson inquiry, which examined press ethics and recommended stricter regulation, has angered rightwing media leaders. The timing was particularly poor, as many titles celebrated the Mail's victory over a group of litigants, including Prince Harry, who failed in their lawsuit over alleged unlawful information-gathering techniques.
One senior editor said Farage had abandoned building broad support in favour of appealing to his base, resulting in attacks on the press. "It's straight out of Trump world," they said. "Demonise the messenger, rally the base, undermine the MSM."
Reform's perspective on media coverage
Figures within Reform say they are unsurprised by the downturn. Many have spent their careers battling what they see as the Conservative establishment. "We've seen this before," said one insider. "The rightwing press is always a fair-weather friend."
Des Freedman, professor of media and communications at Goldsmiths, University of London, noted that right-leaning media's ties to the Conservative party run deep. He said positive coverage of Reform previously served to pressure Labour and the Conservatives on tax and immigration. "To the extent there was a honeymoon a year ago, I think that is much more fluid now," he said. "They're obsessed by Farage, but there's much more criticism that they're willing to make because they see him as not quite a reliable ally. They're not ready to write off the Tories just yet, and to a certain extent Farage and Reform have lost that insurgency appeal."
Express remains supportive
Farage has continued to rely on supportive coverage from the Daily Express, traditionally the most Eurosceptic title. After the Sunday Times reported that he was financially backed by convicted fraudster George Cottrell, Farage turned to the Express, telling the paper he was considering legal action and that "the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform."
If scepticism among other rightwing newspapers persists, it could seriously dent Reform's ambitions for power. Election endorsements, however, have become less potent as newspapers lose influence, and it remains too early for such discussions.
