Farage Clashes With US Democrats Over UK Free Speech Restrictions

Nigel Farage faced intense criticism from US Democratic politicians during his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, where he accused the UK government of severely restricting free speech. Democrats, including Jamie Raskin and Henry Calvin Johnson Jr., labeled Farage a "Putin-loving Trump sycophant" and a "far-right pro-Putin politician," warning UK citizens against trusting him to protect free speech. Farage highlighted cases such as the arrest of Father Ted creator Graham Linehan and Tory councillor Lucy Connolly to illustrate his claims of authoritarianism in the UK, even comparing the country to North Korea. Despite these accusations, Farage dismissed his opponents as "cretinous," criticizing Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat figures, including shadow ministers Chris Philp and Rob Jenrick, as ineffective or dishonest. He also defended his political independence from tech billionaire Elon Musk amid accusations of reliance on Musk for funding. Farage’s confrontational style and his absence from UK parliamentary sessions, due to his US trip, drew further rebuke from UK politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.