Nigel Farage was given just 30 seconds to speak during a fiery session of Prime Minister’s Questions that saw both Labour and the Liberal Democrats take aim at him.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey accused President Trump of trying to “destroy our BBC” and blasted Nigel Farage for “egging him on” claiming the Reform UK leader was helping undermine British press freedom.
Sir Keir Starmer used the exchange to defend the corporation, insisting: “I believe in a strong and independent BBC.
“In an age of disinformation, the argument for impartial British news is stronger than ever.”
Nigel Farage was only given 30 seconds to respond to the attack
|
POOL
He added: “Some would rather the BBC didn’t exist, some of them are sitting up there” he then gestured to Mr Farage and said: “I’m not one of them”.
MP for Southampton Darren Paffey also used his question to attack Reform UK.
He said: “This is Care Leavers Month when we remember the resilience and the brilliance of our young people who have grown up in care.
“I was delighted to welcome a group of Southampton’s care leavers to share their views with the Minister recently.
“But while this Labour Government is taking real action to support care leavers, a Reform councillor has disgracefully described children in care as downright evil. Will the Prime Minister condemn Reform’s, vile rhetoric?”
Mr Starmer responded: “The comments about children in care being evil are utterly appalling and now the member for Clacton has heard them. I’m sure he’ll want to condemn them right now.”
Keir Starmer and Ed Davey both attacked Reform UK in PMQs today
|
POOL
Nigel Farage did not answer the question and explained that this was due to his limited time frame, being given “just 30 seconds” to respond.
As the Reform UK leader stood, he struggled to speak as rowdy MPs would not let him address the chamber.
Finally he said: “I’ve only got 30 seconds. The Prime Minister, has stated very clearly that he wants to close the migrant hotels by the end of this Parliament.
“Well, the Reform led Northamptonshire Council, brilliantly led Council, will be issuing foreclosure notices on three migrant hotels within the next few days in response to grave public concern about the safety of women and girls on the streets of West Northamptonshire.
LATEST POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
“Would the Prime Minister approve of us speeding up the closure of the migrant hotels?”
Mr Starmer responded by insisting that his administration had already “gripped the mess we inherited” from previous governments, highlighting that the total number of migrant hotels had already been reduced by half, from 400 at its peak to just 200 currently in operation, and that the Government was actively managing the situation.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to criticise Mr Farage for not condemning what he described as “appalling” remarks made.