Explosive resurfaced footage has exposed Nigel Farage's breathtaking hypocrisy over his lucrative European Union pension, threatening to derail his political comeback with Reform UK.
The video, dating from 2014, shows the arch-Eurosceptic vehemently defending his right to claim the generous Brussels-funded retirement package despite spending his entire career campaigning against the institution.
The damning evidence
In the unearthed clip, Farage confronts a journalist who questions his EU benefits, snapping: "I've paid into it, I'm entitled to it. Do you think I shouldn't take my pension? Is that what you're saying?"
The Reform UK leader then delivers the astonishing justification: "If you've paid into a pension scheme throughout your working life, you are entitled to take it."
Political firestorm erupts
Opposition parties have seized upon the footage, with Labour's Jonathan Ashworth branding it "typical Farage hypocrisy." He declared: "He's happy to take the money but not happy to stand up for British people."
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper went further, stating: "This is a man who made his name campaigning against the EU, all the while trousering cash from European taxpayers."
The lucrative benefits
Farage's European Parliament pension is estimated to be worth approximately £73,000 annually, accrued during his two-decade tenure as an MEP where he famously spent much of his time criticising the very institution funding his comfortable retirement.
This revelation comes at a particularly awkward moment for the Reform UK leader, who has positioned himself as the standard-bearer against the political establishment.
Damage control efforts
Despite the mounting criticism, Farage shows no signs of stepping back from his campaign trail activities. The resurfaced footage has however ignited fresh debates about political integrity and personal enrichment within public office.
Political analysts suggest this development could potentially undermine his anti-establishment credentials among voters who previously viewed him as a political outsider.
