Nigel Farage Blasts BBC Over Racism Claims, Walks Off in Fury
Nigel Farage exploded at a BBC journalist during the Reform UK conference, refusing to answer questions about racism allegations he firmly denies. When pressed on deputy leader Richard Tice’s claim that the accusers are lying, Farage snapped, “No, I’m done with you.”
He slammed the line of questioning as “despicable”, and launched into a scathing attack on the BBC over what he called “double standards and hypocrisy.” Farage pointed to controversial 1970s and 80s shows like Are You Being Served?, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, and the offensive Black and White Minstrel Show as evidence.
“I cannot put up with the double standards of the BBC about what I’m alleged to have said 49 years ago, and what you were putting out on mainstream content,” Farage declared.
Farage Demands BBC Apology Before Answering More Questions
Farage didn’t stop there. He demanded a full apology from the BBC for those historic shows before he would talk to their reporters again. “I want an apology from the BBC for virtually everything you did throughout the 1970s and 80s. Until you apologise… I’m not speaking to you,” he snapped.
Ending his explosive confrontation, Farage labelled the broadcaster a hive of hypocrisy and refused further engagement. “I am sick to death of the double standards and hypocrisy above all of your organisation. I’m done with you,” he said, storming off.
Jewish Schoolmate Backs Farage: “No Racist Bone in Him”
During his speech, Farage read out a letter from a Jewish former schoolmate at Dulwich College defending him against the racism claims.
“While there was plenty of macho tongue-in-cheek schoolboy banter… it was humour, and yes, sometimes it was offensive, but never with malice. I never heard him racially abuse anyone. If he had, he would have been reported and punished. He wasn’t.”
The letter branded the racism allegations “politically dubious recollections from nearly half a century ago,” adding, “Farage stood out, but he was neither aggressive nor a racist.” Farage said he’s received “plenty” of similar messages backing him since the claims emerged.
Reform UK Slams BBC for Bias, Accuses It of Witch-Hunt
Farage’s furious rant comes amid a new Reform UK report accusing the BBC of blatant bias against the party. Senior Reform figures Zia Yusuf and Richard Tice told GB News the broadcaster obsessively covers negative stories about them.
“The BBC seems absolutely obsessed with reporting negative news about Reform councillors,” Yusuf claimed. “They’re six times more likely to report when a Reform councillor loses the whip compared to Labour or Tories.”
Yusuf argued Tory and Labour councillors lose the whip far more often, yet the BBC’s hostile focus is firmly on Reform. He said Farage’s showdown was just the latest example of a “very long pattern of hostility” from the broadcaster.
