Nigel Farage expressed his dissatisfaction with Reform MP Sarah Pochin’s recent comments, stating he was “unhappy” with her remarks that expressed frustration at seeing Black and Asian individuals in advertisements. Despite facing criticism and calls for her dismissal, Farage refrained from labeling her comments as racist.
Pochin, the Member of Parliament for Runcorn and Helsby, issued an apology following the backlash over her statements. During the same event, Farage was accompanied by grooming gangs survivor Ellie Reynolds, who resigned from the survivors panel, citing corruption within the probe. Farage proposed a Parliamentary investigation into the scandal, emphasizing the dwindling patience of the public.
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley urged Reform UK to revoke Sarah Pochin’s party whip in response to her remarks. Turley labeled the comments as racist and called for urgent action from Farage. The Reform UK leader concluded his press conference, where he discussed various topics, including the issue of Prince Andrew and the need for a parliamentary inquiry into grooming gangs.
Farage emphasized the importance of unveiling the truth and seeking justice for victims through a parliamentary investigation. Addressing concerns over a former Welsh Reform leader’s admission of taking bribes, Farage expressed shock and highlighted the need for accountability within political circles.
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, condemned Pochin’s comments as “shocking racism” and criticized Farage for not taking decisive action. Starmer emphasized the need to address racism and urged Farage to demonstrate leadership by rooting out such behavior from his party.
Farage clarified that while he disapproved of Pochin’s remarks, he did not perceive them as racist. He underscored the broader context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues in the advertising industry. Farage called for a parliamentary inquiry into grooming gangs, aiming to restore public trust and address the pressing concerns surrounding the scandal.
Ellie Reynolds criticized the grooming gangs inquiry setup, highlighting the neglect of survivors’ voices and the failure to address perpetrator ethnicity issues. Farage condemned the mishandling of the scandal and invited Reynolds to share her perspective on the matter.
The Liberal Democrats tabled a censure motion in Parliament, denouncing Pochin’s racist remarks and urging Farage to withdraw the party whip. The party’s spokesperson emphasized the need for unity in condemning such behavior and upholding parliamentary standards.
Nigel Farage is set to present a solution for the ongoing issues in the grooming gangs inquiry, following the resignation of several survivors from the panel. The probe has faced delays in appointing a chair, with concerns raised over survivor confidence in the process.
Farage’s upcoming press conference is anticipated as he faces calls to address the controversy surrounding Sarah Pochin’s comments. Labour Party Chair Anna Turley has demanded a response from Farage regarding the remarks made by Pochin, emphasizing the need for accountability and addressing racial insensitivity.