Nigel Farage was put on the spot in a tense Good Morning Britain interview on Tuesday, 23 June, facing questions over a £5 million gift, a sexism row in his party, and Brexit.
Farage Defends Brexit and Candidate's Sexist Comments
The Reform UK leader and MP for Clacton began by describing Brexit as "an earthquake in British politics" and lamenting the "tragedy" of its fallout a decade on. But the conversation quickly turned to the party's candidate in the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, whom Farage had called "a great bloke, plumber, rugby player, ex-army guy, drinker, one of the lads."
Host Ranvir Singh challenged Farage, noting that Kenyon's unearthed comments were "sexist." Farage argued they were "banter" heard in pubs across the country but admitted they "in the cold light of day would not look good." When asked if he should have asked Kenyon to apologise to Carol Vorderman, who was targeted in the comments, Farage deflected, saying Vorderman "writing letters to every constituent and directly involving herself in the political campaign" was the issue. Co-host Ed Balls interjected that Kenyon's words were "so bad" they couldn't be repeated on air.
Farage claimed the same language would be heard in "every pub tonight," but Balls countered: "Most men do not say that kind of thing about women." Farage insisted he didn't approve but said he "can't force people to apologise" and had asked Kenyon to "think very hard" about his words. "I don't bully people," he added, while Balls accused him of "condoning it."
Grilled Over £5 Million Gift and Taxpayer Expenses
Singh then pressed Farage on whether he could win the next election without appealing better to women, citing MP Sarah Pochin's controversial comments on domestic violence and football. Farage replied: "I can't really win here, I've got male and female people criticising me." He claimed the party had no problem with women in the local elections, despite recent issues.
The interview shifted to a £5 million gift Farage received from a billionaire backer before becoming an MP. Balls questioned why Farage hadn't declared it, with Farage insisting it was a "gift" not a "donation" and that he had "no obligation" to declare it. The Parliamentary Authority is now investigating the money. Farage defended himself: "I don't believe I've broken any rules of any kind at all."
When asked if receiving £5 million felt like winning the lottery, Farage said: "It is in a way." He then pivoted: "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." He claimed the money was for security, noting he has faced more physical attacks than any other politician and the state refused to provide protection. "I will need to be looked after for the rest of my life," he said, adding that the gift was unconditional and he could spend it on cars if he wished, but won't.
Balls highlighted how rare a £5 million gift is, but Farage compared it to the presenters' salaries versus viewers. When Balls asked how many people in Clacton have ever received such a gift, Farage retorted: "How many Labour voters live in £4,000,000 houses in North London?" He concluded that people in the pub watching the England match "wouldn't care" and that he's "always been good at buying my rounds."
