this post was submitted on 04 Aug 2024
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UK Politics

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The Commons standards watchdog should hold Nigel Farage to account over his “dangerous comments” following the week’s violent disorder in the wake of the Southport murders, a Liverpool MP has said.

Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said Farage’s comments “cannot be left to fester” and should be examined by the parliamentary standards commissioner.

Farage has released two videos since three children were murdered in Southport last week. In the first, he questioned whether police were withholding information about who was responsible for the murders.

It came at a time when false information was circulating on social media that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible, which fuelled disorder at a mosque in Southport.

In a second video, Farage challenged Keir Starmer’s argument that the violent protests were the fault of the far right, saying it was “a reaction to fear, to discomfort, to unease that is out there shared by tens of millions of people”.

...

However, several members of the public claim on social media to have submitted complaints about the Reform leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner, who can investigate any behaviour that brings parliament into disrepute.

Johnson said: “Nigel Farage’s dangerous comments cannot be left to fester. He is the voice of the EDL [English Defence League] in parliament, using his platform to spread fear and misinformation. Tensions are high and our politicians should be doing everything in our power to advocate for peace and unity, and support our communities standing resolutely against the racism and hatred displayed over the last few days. With so much at stake, we need urgent action from the Commons standards committee and the police to hold him to account.”

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[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 23 points 3 months ago (2 children)

He is the voice of the EDL [English Defence League] in parliament, using his platform to spread fear and misinformation.

He's the voice of Russia in Parliament, the EDL are just today's useful tools to get Putin's agenda furthered.

[–] baggins@beehaw.org 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Has he actually turned up yet?

[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 3 points 3 months ago

Despite the rumours, he was at the state opening of Parliament and he has also voted on two amendments to the King's Speech. He does seem to have spent most of his time in the US, as he has been asked pointed questions about it.

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world 10 points 3 months ago

Encouraging racial hate should be a criminal offence - he would be locked up, not referred to some "watchdog".

[–] Guntrigger@sopuli.xyz 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Interesting thst the image attached to the article makes it seem like he was saying these things in parliament. But no, again he's just releasing inflammatory videos on social media and not bothering to turn up to work.

[–] ForgotAboutDre@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

MPs have extra protection for the things they say in parliament. If he did say this in parliament it would be much harder to bring about chargers related to hate speech, encouraging violence etc.

It would also be immediately challenged and rebutted by well informed MPs. Resulting in a very humiliating clip for Farage. Hence, why he makes these comments on social media where he isn’t directly and immediately challenged.

[–] Nurgus@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

I'm a believer in "free speech" but wouldn't it be hilarious if the government brought in prison sentences for Farage and Tommy and they were both saved by the ECR? 🤣

[–] stiephelando@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

The ECtHR allows banning hate speech

[–] Nurgus@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

I clearly wasn't discussing reality.