Nigel Farage has broken with Donald Trump over the US president's threats to destroy Iranian civilisation, describing them as "over the top in every single way" and saying they went "way too far".
The Reform UK leader made the remarks while responding to Trump's Truth Social post during a walkabout in Bedworth. He said: "I am quite shocked just to hear that. That is over the top in every single way. Yes of course he wants to threaten – to get them to the negotiating table. But those words are … they're way too far."
Asked whether the remarks were befitting of the US presidency, Farage said: "He's an upset, angry American president. He's wholly unconventional but I would remind you of what Churchill said about the bombing of Germany during the war. Some quite extraordinary things were said there as well."
Farage had earlier been broadly supportive of Trump at a press conference, arguing that the UK could not defend itself militarily without the US and saying he would allow American forces to use British bases to attack Iranian infrastructure – provided Trump could assure him he had a plan for the end game.
Downing Street has declined to criticise Trump directly, in line with Keir Starmer's approach of ignoring provocations. However, the Liberal Democrats and Greens have urged the Prime Minister to go further in restricting US use of UK bases. Labour MP Apsana Begum said Trump's threats must be understood as a threat to civilians and infrastructure, and called on the UK government to tell him to step back.
No 10 has said US bombers are only allowed to set off from British soil for missions with a "defensive" purpose, targeting missile sites.
