Intense Backlash Towards Brexit Supporter Farage Over Irksome Comment on Russian Aggressive Conflict
A fortnight before the Parliament election in the UK, the head of the conservative party Reform UK, Nigel Farage, faced backlash for his provocative comments concerning Russia's military action against Ukraine. In a chat with the BBC, Farage stated, "We instigated this war." This statement was debunked by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the weekend, labeling it "totally fabricated" and "benefiting Putin."
In an interview released on Friday, Farage further stated that Putin was indeed accountable for the war but admitted to find him distasteful as an individual, yet admired him as a political force "because he successfully seized control of Russia."
Critics, including Interior Minister James Cleverly, accused Farage of echoing Putin's twisted justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine. Former Conservative defense minister Tobias Ellwood found his remarks in the "Daily Telegraph" newspaper "shocking." He added, "Even Churchill would roll over in his grave."
The opposition Labour Party shared the criticism. John Healey, a potential defense minister for Labour if they win the election, termed the statements "scandalous." He asserted that Farage's views rendered him unfit for any political position in our nation.
Farage is competing in the Parliament election on July 4, running as a representative for his party in the Clacton constituency in eastern England. As per the latest polls, Reform UK currently resides in third place, trailing behind the Labour Party and the conservative Tories led by Prime Minister Sunak.
Farage maintains a close relationship with the previous US President Donald Trump, who, according to his own words, "has a great rapport" with Putin and is anticipated to challenge President Joe Biden as the Republican presidential candidate in November.
