UK Politician Farage Confronted by US Democrats over Free Speech Claims

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, criticizing the UK's laws on online safety and free speech and comparing Britain to an authoritarian state similar to North Korea. He warned that the UK's online policies threaten American free speech and innovation, highlighting cases such as Irish comedian Graham Linehan's arrest under the Public Order Act. Farage's testimony was met with strong backlash from U.S. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, who labeled Farage a "Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant," accusing him of undermining democratic values while praising Vladimir Putin. Raskin and others criticized Farage for missing UK parliamentary sessions while attacking UK policies abroad and questioned his patriotism and political motives. In the UK, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak condemned Farage as a "false patriot" sowing division for political gain and called on Labour to oppose Farage's agenda, emphasizing his record against workers' protections. The confrontation underscores Farage's contentious position both domestically and internationally, as he aligns with former President Trump’s political style while facing criticism from opponents who see him as damaging to British and democratic values.