Farage Skips Commons Speech Amid Altercation Claims
Dispute over seat reservation and alleged physical confrontation with Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden sparks controversy.
Carla Rooney
Nigel Farage missed a House of Commons speech due to a prior seating altercation.
Farage stated his absence stemmed from an earlier incident concerning seat reservations. He claimed he feared another physical altercation after his prayer card, used to reserve a seat, was removed.
A House of Commons spokesman confirmed a prayer card was removed because it lacked a valid date stamp. Farage reportedly skipped the Budget speech to avoid a possible physical confrontation.
Daisy Cooper, a Liberal Democrat, claims Farage physically shoved a female Liberal Democrat MP during the state opening of Parliament in May. Cooper further alleges Farage chose to hold a press conference rather than wait several hours in the chamber for an opportunity to speak.
We both know that’s not true Nigel don’t we? I’m still waiting for the apology you were required to write to me … Though I won’t hold my breath.
Caroline Voaden, the Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, was identified as the MP allegedly involved in the aggressive encounter. Voaden directly challenged Farage, stating, "We both know that’s not true Nigel don’t we? I’m still waiting for the apology you were required to write to me … Though I won’t hold my breath."
A Reform UK source disputed the Liberal Democrat characterisation of the May incident, claiming it was the Liberal Democrat MPs who were aggressive towards Farage. The source called it "typical Lib Dem dishonesty in an attempt to stay relevant."
Typical Lib Dem dishonesty in an attempt to stay relevant.
Alicia Kearns questioned Farage's claims, noting that other Reform MPs could have offered him a seat and asking when he actually entered the chamber to look for one, given many seats were unreserved.