UK Online Safety Act Sparks Fierce Political Row

A political controversy has intensified in the UK after Technology Secretary Peter Kyle accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of siding with predators, including Jimmy Savile, over Farage's opposition to the Online Safety Act. The legislation, which came fully into effect on July 25, requires stricter age verification for adult content and aims to protect children from harmful online material. Farage condemned Kyle's comments as 'disgusting' and demanded an apology, warning the law could push children to the dark web and suppress free speech. Kyle refused to retract his remarks, arguing that repealing the Act would benefit predators and extreme pornographers. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the law as necessary for child protection, despite ongoing concerns about censorship following thousands of arrests for offensive online communications. Critics, including Farage and former Reform chairman Zia Yusuf, argue the law risks stifling legitimate speech and may have unintended negative consequences for online safety.