Nigel Farage Is Promoting Free Speech In America – While Reform Bans Journalists In The UK

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party speaks at an event in London, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)Nigel Farage has gone to America to accuse the UK government of imposing an “illiberal and authoritarian censorship regime”.But back in Britain, his own party’s politicians have come under fire for banning journalists for writing stories they don’t like.Despite parliament returning after the six-week summer recess, Farage has jetted to Washington to give evidence to a US Congress inquiry into freedom of speech.Speaking ahead of his appearance, the Reform leader told The Sun: “Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.”Farage is expected to raise the case of Lucy Connolly, the Tory councillor’s jailed for a tweet calling for asylum hotels to be set on fire, as an example of how free speech is being hampered in the UK.He will also point to the arrest of Father Ted creator Graham Linehan over anti-trans posts on X.In written evidence to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, Farage said: “On the question of civil liberties, Britain has, unfortunately, now lost her way.“I will do my part, as a participant in UK democracy, to help our country find its way back to the traditional freedoms which have long bound together our two countries in friendship.”But Reform has come under fire after Mick Barton, the party’s leader of Nottinghamshire Council, said he banned the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live from speaking to him after a disagreement over a story.A spokesperson for the council said: “The ban, which will only be lifted for emergency scenarios like flooding and weather-related cases, incidents at council-run schools, adult social care, or public safety issues, has come into immediate effect.”Barton told the BBC: “We haven’t got a problem, I’ve not got a problem, I’m being professional and I hope the Notts Post become professional.“The ban still stands until they come and apologise. They need to pick the phone up and speak to me.”Highlighting the apparent Reform hypocrisy, Liberal Democrat media, culture and sports spokesperson Max Wilkinson said: “It’s barmy that after six weeks away from Parliament, Nigel Farage is skipping the first days of the Autumn term to go jet-setting wearing his MAGA hat and waving his Trump pom-poms.“Instead of peddling myths to the US Congress about free speech in the UK, he should be giving evidence to our parliament on why his own party is cracking down on free speech by gagging his Reform colleagues from speaking to the media.“He should focus on getting his own house in order before going on tour to badmouth Britain.”Related...Nigel Farage Slammed For Skipping Days Of Parliament To Be A 'Trump Cheerleader' In The StatesNigel Farage U-Turns On Reform UK Plan To Deport Women And ChildrenKeir Starmer Dismisses Nigel Farage's Mass Deportation Plan With A Simple 2-Word Slapdown

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