Nigel Farage faced harsh criticism during a US Congressional hearing, being labeled as a “far-right, pro-Putin politician” and likened to Donald Trump. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat member of the House Judiciary Committee, admonished Farage, cautioning the UK populace against embracing his slogan of “Make Britain Great Again.”
Raskin recounted an encounter with Farage in the UK, where the latter abruptly ended a discussion on freedom of speech after just three minutes, citing disagreement with Raskin’s views.
Highlighting the UK’s freedom of speech, Raskin contrasted Farage’s actions with the UK PM Keir Starmer’s approach towards media coverage. Raskin criticized Farage for his frequent appearances on Russian TV and alleged alignment with Putin’s rhetoric.
Raskin insinuated that Farage’s affinity for autocrats and dictators could jeopardize free speech in the UK, drawing parallels to Trump’s governance in the US.
Farage, who had left the UK for the US, is expected to advocate for sanctions against countries, including the UK, that impede free speech, arguing that the UK has deviated from its path.
In Farage’s absence from Parliament, Starmer condemned his actions, accusing him of undermining the UK’s interests by lobbying for sanctions against the country.
Farage denied the accusations of advocating for trade sanctions on the UK and emphasized the potential negative trade implications for both the UK and the US.
Farage is set on repealing the Online Safety Act and is likely to discuss the case of Lucy Connolly, who faced legal consequences for inciting racial hatred on social media.
To keep up with US politics, the Mirror has launched a US Politics WhatsApp community for real-time updates and exclusive news from across the pond. Join the community for access to breaking news directly on your phone.
Join our community for exclusive offers and updates from us and our partners. If you wish to exit the community, you can do so at any time. Read our Privacy Notice for more information.