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During his testimony to a US congressional committee in Washington DC, Nigel Farage criticized the UK government’s stance on freedom of speech, likening it to North Korea. He highlighted cases of writer Graham Linehan and a woman jailed over a racist tweet as examples of what he described as an “authoritarian situation” in the UK. However, some Democratic members of Congress, including Jamie Raskin, heavily criticized Farage, labeling him a “Putin-loving free speech impostor.”
In response to Farage’s appearance in the US, Labour’s Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds accused him of undermining the UK’s trade prospects with its closest allies. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned Farage’s actions, accusing him of lobbying the Americans to impose sanctions that would harm working people in the UK. Farage, in his recommendations to Congress, suggested using diplomacy and trade to defend free speech against UK laws, clarifying that he was not advocating for sanctions but rather wanted open discussions on the topic.
Farage highlighted recent incidents in the UK, such as arrests related to online posts, to argue against restrictions on free speech. He criticized the Online Safety Act, aimed at making the internet safer for users, particularly children. While acknowledging the need to protect children from harmful content online, Farage expressed concerns about the act granting excessive powers to regulatory bodies. Republicans on the committee praised Farage, while Democratic representatives questioned his intentions and criticized his connections to former President Donald Trump.
Despite the mixed reception, Farage remained firm on his stance on free speech, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue on the issue. He faced scrutiny over his advocacy for political allies and received backlash from some US lawmakers. Farage’s visit to the US sparked debate on the implications of UK laws on free speech and highlighted the diverging views on the matter among politicians on both sides of the Atlantic
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