{"id":395202,"date":"2025-09-03T18:30:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T18:30:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/395202\/"},"modified":"2025-09-03T18:30:40","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T18:30:40","slug":"nigel-farage-says-britain-is-an-authoritarian-state-like-north-korea-hearing-live","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/395202\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigel Farage says Britain is an authoritarian state like North Korea \u2014 hearing live"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Farage left the chamber, the US congressman Jamie Raskin tried to ask him another question, speculating again that he was on his way to lunch with President Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne more,\u201d Raskin said as Farage left the chamber. \u201cBlame it on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Centre for Countering Digital Hate, a British-American non-profit group, said the comparison of the UK to North Korea was \u201cincredibly dispiriting\u201d.<\/p>\n

Imran Ahmed, the centre\u2019s chief executive, said Farage had made the \u201csilly and hyperbolic claim\u201d because the UK chose to \u201cprotect children online\u201d and place a duty of care on tech firms with the Online Safety Act.<\/p>\n

Farage appears desperate to leave the committee<\/p>\n

Amid speculation he is scheduled to have lunch at the White House with President Trump, Farage appears desperate to leave.<\/p>\n

However, Democrats are taking their time in an apparent attempt to delay Farage\u2019s exit.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr Farage has to leave in a few minutes,\u201d said Jim Jordan, the Republican chairman of the committee. It takes roughly ten minutes to drive from Capitol Hill to the White House.<\/p>\n

Farage dodges questions about lunch with Trump<\/p>\n

The Reform leader apologised to the judiciary committee and said he needed to leave. He was asked directly if he was meeting President Trump<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Farage said he couldn\u2019t remember his schedule. \u201cYou can\u2019t remember if you\u2019re meeting with the president?\u201d asked Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not telling you what I\u2019m doing this afternoon,\u201d Farage said. \u201cHe\u2019s leaving to have lunch with the president,\u201d Moskowitz asserted.<\/p>\n

I did not oppose Gaza march, Farage says<\/p>\n

The top Democrat on the judiciary committee has clashed again with Nigel Farage.<\/p>\n

Jamie Raskin, a Democratic congressman from Maryland, questioned the Reform UK<\/a> leader\u2019s opposition to a pro-Gaza march through London.<\/p>\n

Farage said the march took place in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday, which was a particularly sensitive day. \u201cI have not opposed people standing up and protesting in favour of people in Gaza,\u201d Farage said.<\/p>\n

Raskin said freedom of speech applied \u201c365 days a year\u201d and also accused Farage of banning journalists from the Reform party conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t think of banning anybody,\u201d said Farage. \u201cMaybe somebody else did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Democrat queries comparison of UK to North Korea\"Jamie<\/p>\n

Jamie Raskin<\/p>\n

EVELYN HOCKSTEIN\/REUTERS<\/p>\n

Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House judiciary committee, drew attention to a study by Reporters without Borders.<\/p>\n

The study of press freedom ranked North Korea at number 179 in the world. Raskin said North Korea was like a \u201ctotalitarian dungeon\u201d and pointed out that the UK was ranked number 20.<\/p>\n

Rowling faced \u2018abuse on a huge scale\u2019\"JK<\/p>\n

JK Rowling, the Harry Potter author<\/p>\n

DEBRA HURFORD BROWN<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage said JK Rowling came from the \u201cliberal wing of politics\u201d, but that she had \u201ctaken a view that women should be safe in women\u2019s spaces\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has faced cancel culture and abuse on a huge scale,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Rational debate \u2018stamped out\u2019 during Covid<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has said rational debate was stamped out during the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

The Reform UK leader said it was a \u201cvery dark period\u201d. He added: \u201cIt was during Covid when rational debate about many important issues, be it mask-wearing, be it lockdowns, was frankly stamped out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was supported by big social media companies, [and] many \u2014 not GB News obviously \u2014 but many TV stations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Farage accused of appearing in US to solicit donations\"Farage<\/p>\n

Farage has come under fire from Democratic congressmen<\/p>\n

NATHAN HOWARD\/REUTERS<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has denied he is trying to convince President Trump to impose tariffs on the UK after an ill-tempered exchange with a Democratic congressman.<\/p>\n

The Reform UK leader was accused of appearing in the US to \u201cingratiate\u201d himself with tech company bosses such as Elon Musk<\/a> and solicit donations.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need a lot of money to blow up like the Maga movement?\u201d said Hank Johnson, a Democratic congressman from Georgia. \u201cYou need money from Elon Musk in order to get elected prime minister of Great Britain?\u201d<\/p>\n

Farage denied that was the case and said he was involved in a \u201cpublic falling out\u201d with Musk.<\/p>\n

Johnson said Farage was arguing \u201cthat the citizens of Great Britain should pay a tariff if the tech companies violate the laws of Great Britain\u201d. Farage replied: \u201cI\u2019ve not suggested sanctions at all in any way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Farage questions silent prayer law<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has questioned a law banning silent prayer outside abortion clinics in the UK.<\/p>\n

The Reform party leader said the debate on abortion in Britain and Europe \u201cis in a different place\u201d.<\/p>\n

But he said he was \u201cafraid\u201d that people praying silently now have to be \u201ca certain distance away\u201d from abortion clinics.<\/p>\n

New definition of Islamophobia will lead to \u2018two-tier justice\u2019\"Farage<\/p>\n

Farage preparing to testify before the committee<\/p>\n

KEVIN DIETSCH\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has said \u201cmocking religion\u201d will become an offence if a new definition of Islamophobia is passed.<\/p>\n

The Reform UK leader said he was worried freedom of speech would get worse. \u201cThe Labour government is intending to pass a law that has a definition of Islamophobia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat will mean criticism of a religion, mocking of a religion, will become an offence \u2026 we\u2019re finishing up with two-tier justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Farage described as \u2018future prime minister\u2019<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has been described by a Republican as \u201cprobably the future prime minister\u201d of the UK.<\/p>\n

After he was dismissed by Democrats as a fringe politician, Darrell Issa, a Republican congressman from California, said Farage<\/a> was \u201cprobably the future prime minister\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a very big fringe and we\u2019re doing rather well,\u201d Farage added.<\/p>\n

Reform UK is leading Labour by nine points in the polls, according to YouGov. However, during the House judiciary committee hearing, Democrats have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that Farage has just four MPs in parliament.<\/p>\n

Online Safety Act \u2018is the sledgehammer that missed the nut\u2019\"Farage<\/p>\n

Farage said the act was ineffective at protecting children<\/p>\n

KEVIN DIETSCH\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage said the 2023 legislation, which forces tech companies to protect children from harmful content or risk hefty fines, was \u201cdesigned by Tories with the best of intentions\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, he said it was ineffective at protecting children and suggested that phones should be programmed to ban certain apps.<\/p>\n

Democrats continue attack on Farage<\/p>\n

Democrats have accused Nigel Farage of being a \u201cfringe politician\u201d as they continue their attacks on the Reform party leader.<\/p>\n

Jerry Nadler, a Democratic congressman from Manhattan, said there was a \u201cclear and present danger to freedom of speech\u201d in the US. However, it was not across the Atlantic. \u201cIt is right here in Washington sitting in the Oval Office,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Lucy Connolly\u2019s imprisonment \u2018disproportionate\u2019\"Lucy<\/p>\n

Lucy Connolly put out a tweet that was \u201cintemperate and wrong\u201d, Farage said<\/p>\n

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE POLICE\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has said he wanted to bring Lucy Connolly to the US but was unable to because of \u201crestrictions\u201d following her arrest.<\/p>\n

Connolly was sentenced to 31 months in prison for inciting racial hatred after she called on people to \u201cset fire\u201d to migrant hotels. She served less than half her sentence.<\/p>\n

Farage said she put out a tweet that was \u201cintemperate and wrong\u201d following the \u201csavage murder\u201d of \u201cthree beautiful young girls\u201d. However, he said her imprisonment was disproportionate<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to bring her with me today,\u201d he said. \u201cSadly the restrictions that have been put on her have banned her from making the trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

We\u2019re an awful authoritarian state, Farage says\"Farage<\/p>\n

Farage is sworn in before the House judiciary committee<\/p>\n

KEVIN DIETSCH\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage has said that Britain has become an \u201cawful authoritarian\u201d state like North Korea.<\/p>\n

\u201cI come from the land of the Magna Carta, the mother of parliaments, it doesn\u2019t give me any great joy to be sitting in America describing the awful authoritarian situation we have sunk into,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Farage referenced the cases of Lucy Connolly and Graham Linehan<\/a> in his opening statement to the House judiciary committee.<\/p>\n

He said the arrest of Linehan at Heathrow airport \u201ccould happen to any American man or woman who has said something online that the British government doesn\u2019t like\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt what point did we become North Korea?\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Farage lambasted for being a \u2018Trump sycophant\u2019<\/p>\n

Jamie Raskin, a senior Democrat, has said British voters should think twice before voting for a \u201cTrump sycophant\u201d like Nigel Farage, in a combative opening statement.<\/p>\n

Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House judiciary committee, said the Reform leader was \u201cmost at home with the autocrats and dictators of the world who are crushing free speech\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said there was \u201cno free speech crisis in Britain\u201d and that no one stopped Farage from appearing on Russian TV \u201c17 times\u201d.<\/p>\n

He urged Reform voters to visit the US before supporting Farage to see what \u201cTrump and Maga are doing to our freedom\u201d, adding: \u201cYou might think twice before you let Mr Farage make Britain great again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Farage is a \u2018far-right, pro-Putin politician\u2019<\/p>\n

Jamie Raskin, the most senior Democrat on the House judiciary committee, accused Republicans of \u201cpromoting far-right parties in Europe\u201d. He described Nigel Farage<\/a> as a \u201cfar-right pro-Putin politician\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said Reform only had four MPs in parliament and questioned why Farage had been summoned to give evidence on free speech given the state of media freedom in the US.<\/p>\n

\u201cRepublicans are vilifying European liberal democracies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Europe is attacking free speech around the world\u2019<\/p>\n

A Republican congressman has accused the UK and the EU of trying to \u201cshake down\u201d US tech companies with \u201ccensorship laws\u201d.<\/p>\n

Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House judiciary committee, said companies such as Facebook<\/a> and X provided the \u201cmodern town square\u201d.<\/p>\n

He accused the UK and EU of targeting US firms with the Online Safety Act and the Digital Services Act because European tech companies had languished behind their American counterparts. \u201cEurope is attacking free speech around the world, including here in America,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The high-profile cases likely to dominate the hearing\"Nigel<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage said he would urge the US to \u201cbe vigilant\u201d<\/p>\n

JONATHAN ERNST\/REUTERS<\/p>\n

Before the hearing, Farage said: \u201cThe Graham Linehan case is yet another example of the war on freedom of speech in the UK. I will discuss this, the Lucy Connolly case and the increasing role of our police in non-crime \u2018hate\u2019 incidents on Capitol Hill. <\/p>\n

\u201cFree speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lucy Connolly was sentenced to 31 months in prison for inciting racial hatred after she called on people to \u201cset fire\u201d to migrant hotels during the Southport riots that followed the murder of three young girls at a dance class by Axel Rudakubana.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, JD Vance<\/a>, the vice president, also raised the case of Adam Smith-Connor, an army veteran from Southampton who was arrested for praying outside an abortion clinic.<\/p>\n

\u2018War\u2019 on freedom of speech in the UK<\/p>\n

Nigel Farage will tell US congressmen today there is a \u201cwar\u201d on freedom of speech in the UK.<\/p>\n

The Reform UK leader is in Washington, where he is expected to raise the case of Graham Linehan, the comedian arrested this week at Heathrow airport over his anti-trans tweets.<\/p>\n

Farage is officially giving evidence to the House judiciary committee about the UK\u2019s Online Safety Act, which compels US tech companies to stop children from seeing harmful content on the internet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As Farage left the chamber, the US congressman Jamie Raskin tried to ask him another question, speculating again…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":395203,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5018,3,4],"tags":[24560,28385,748,393,35015,4884,2484,10515,43313,18,9461,12,29090,14233,1144,24668,712,5199,16,15,1764],"class_list":{"0":"post-395202","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-britain","8":"category-uk","9":"category-united-kingdom","10":"tag-an","11":"tag-authoritarian","12":"tag-britain","13":"tag-england","14":"tag-farage","15":"tag-great-britain","16":"tag-hearing","17":"tag-is","18":"tag-korea","19":"tag-like","20":"tag-live","21":"tag-news","22":"tag-nigel","23":"tag-north","24":"tag-northern-ireland","25":"tag-says","26":"tag-scotland","27":"tag-state","28":"tag-uk","29":"tag-united-kingdom","30":"tag-wales"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115141792757389433","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=395202"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395202\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/395203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=395202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=395202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=395202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}