Nigel Farage has rejected accusations of racism aimed at one of his MPs who expressed frustration at advertisements predominantly featuring Black and Asian individuals.
The leader of Reform UK expressed discontent with the remarks made by Sarah Pochin, labeling them as “unpleasant,” but emphasized that the intent behind her comments was not racially motivated. During a press briefing in London, he resisted calls for disciplinary action against the MP for Runcorn and Helsby, despite criticism coming from various political quarters.
“I am dissatisfied with her actions,” Farage stated. “While I grasp the fundamental point she was trying to make, the manner in which she articulated it was inappropriate and distasteful. If I believed there was a racist motive behind it, my response would have been more forceful than it has been so far.”
Calls from the Labour and Liberal Democrats parties demanding the removal of Ms. Pochin’s party whip were met with hesitation, while Conservative representative Chris Philp eventually labeled her statements as racist.
On Monday, Keir Starmer criticized Farage for failing to exhibit leadership in the matter. When asked about the racist nature of Pochin’s comments, the Prime Minister unequivocally stated, “Yes, they were racist. It is a form of racism that is alarming and threatens to divide our nation, reflecting poorly on Reform.”
Farage was urged to address questions concerning his stance on racism, with Starmer highlighting the need for leadership in eradicating such behavior within political circles.
Ms. Pochin issued an apology following a backlash triggered by her remarks. Responding to a viewer’s complaint about the representation in advertising, she agreed, expressing frustration at ads predominantly featuring Black and Asian individuals.
She proceeded to criticize the advertising industry for not accurately reflecting society, claiming that the average white demographic was being overlooked. Ms. Pochin later acknowledged the offense caused by her words and conceded that her point was poorly articulated.
During the press conference, Farage called for parliamentary action to address the grooming gangs scandal, urging a more proactive approach to investigations. Suggesting that the pace of inquiries was sluggish, he proposed a collaborative effort between the Commons and Lords to establish a special commission dedicated to the scandal.
