A resurfaced 2014 BBC Question Time clip shows Nigel Farage clashing with Russell Brand, years before the comedian was convicted of sex crimes. Brand, found guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault against four women, is due to be sentenced on Monday.
In the footage, Brand appears eager to attack the then-UKIP leader over immigration, branding him a "pound-shop Enoch Powell" during the heated exchange.
Farage challenges Brand over immigration
Asked whether Britain was overcrowded, Farage told the audience the population had risen sharply since 1990, adding: "That is a massive, massive increase and I think ordinary folk going about their lives are feeling it."
He argued the solution was "having a proper immigration policy, controlling the numbers, doing what nearly 200 countries in the world do, namely controlling who comes and the type of people who come".
Brand, then at the height of his fame as a Left-wing firebrand, responded with a rambling rant, saying: "I feel worried about you Nigel Farage, the reason I feel worried is I know a lot of people are frightened in our country, I know a lot of people are feeling afraid, frustrated."
Brand's tirade and Farage's retort
Brand launched into a tirade against "an economic elite", claiming Farage's party was funded by them and that he came from "working in the City". He then claimed City bankers had caused the financial crash, saying: "His mates farted, and Nigel Farage is pointing and holding his nose."
Brand went on to sneer: "This man is not a cartoon character, he ain't Del Boy … he is a pound-shop Enoch Powell, and we gotta watch him." But as Brand tried to interrupt, Farage cut him down, saying: "The question was 'is Britain overcrowded?' This is called Question Time, and you haven't answered the question."
Flustered, Brand finally blurted: "This country is not overcrowded," before launching into a rant about bankers' bonuses. At the time, Brand had just published his book, Revolution, which was panned by one reviewer as "atrocious: long-winded, confused and smug". Brand is due to be sentenced on Monday.
