Up next in 10
The Reform UK leader was referred to the parliamentary standards committee over claims he violated rules by accepting the money and failing to properly declare the funding. His spokesman has denied the latest allegations against the Reform UK leader, with Liberal Democrat MP, Josh Babarinde, writing to the Parliamentary Standards Committee on Sunday. Labour minister Olivia Bailey has told LBC that Nigel Farage has “serious questions to answer". 00:00 - A look back at Nick Ferrari's dramatic confrontation with the Reform leader over his £5m payment. 01:55 - Lib Dem President Josh Babarinde, says: 'He’s spent his whole career dining out on “taking back control”, but he’s not been straight about who controls him.’ 07:47 - Caller Elizabeth believes 'he deserves every penny'. 09:18 - Labour minister Olivia Bailey says Farage 'has serious questions to answer'. 10:04 - Caller Steve says Farage is 'getting questions because he's getting closer to power - like anyone does'. 12:53 - Caller David says the Reform leader is a 'clever bloke' and will have understood the rules. Listen to the full show on the all-new LBC App: https://app.af.lbc.co.uk/btnc/thenewlbcapp #lbc #nickferrari #nigelfarage #reform #reformuk #ukpolitics #politics #uknews LBC is the home of live debate around news and current affairs in the UK. Join in the conversation and listen at https://www.lbc.co.uk/ Sign up to LBC’s weekly newsletter here: https://l-bc.co/signup
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
I've got to ask you a question about this £5 million gift from this crypto billionaire
0:04
You know better than most politicians how LBC works. I'm getting comments as you and I are speaking
0:08
This man needs to tell us what has he done with the £5 million. Get him to be truthful
0:13
Nigel Farage, please, what has happened to this £5 million gift? With all due respect, what's it going to do with you
0:19
Well, because it speaks to the position of what you hold in office. Initially, we were told that it was because of your personal security
0:25
and it would pay for that for the rest of your life. Then apparently it was some kind of reward for campaigning for Brexit
0:31
I am told we have two different stories, which is the truth. I think you're contradicting yourself there, aren't you
0:36
Well, if you tell me what happened with the £5 million, then we're solved. It's an unconditional gift. I can spend it on Ferraris if I want
0:43
That would be entirely up to me. Why did you say it was for personal security then? Because it was given as an unconditional gift, right
0:50
The understanding is, and you know very well, you know very well
0:54
I've been physically more attacked over many years than any other I've been with you when you've been abused, I've seen that
1:01
but I just, my listeners want to know, Mr. Farrar, how much
1:05
has been spent? I can do with it as I want, I can do what I want with it
1:08
I can put it in the horses, but Yes, you are under review though by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner
1:13
Well, and maybe we shouldn't be discussing it in that case, but what I will say to you is
1:17
I know I know that I will need protection until I die
1:26
I've no idea how long that will be. None of us do. But I know that it's damned expensive
1:31
and I now don't have to worry or even think about that
1:35
because repeatedly over the years, while I've asked for help from the state
1:40
I've been refused. So it was a reward for personal security? Sorry, Nick, you're confusing two things
1:48
One is the money comes in, the other is where it goes. I can do with it as I wish
1:53
But I know myself what it's for. Josh Babarind is a Liberal Democrat MP and also the party president
1:59
and he's referred Nigel Farage to the Parliamentary Standards Watchdog. After that referral, what happens next and how long, whatever happens
2:06
will it take to happen? Good morning. Good morning, Nick. I mean, I referred Nigel Farage to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner yesterday
2:15
because yet again we've got more allegations of donations that were received outside of the rules
2:22
And we know that there are already a number of requests for other investigations and some underway
2:31
And I've said to the Commissioner, look, in light of the new allegations, will you expand your inquiry now
2:38
to include these most recent donations from George Cottrell? And as soon as I have a response from the Commissioner, Nick
2:46
happy to come back and share some of the details with you. Well, my listeners are clamouring not just for this, but of course other of the allegations
2:52
So we have no real timeline at this sense yet, Mr Baberind. No, I mean, it needs to be done as soon as possible because this is getting out of control now
3:02
It feels that week after week there is something new that comes out about Nigel Farage and his dealings behind the scenes
3:11
And, I mean, regardless of the investigations, to be honest, this is just a question of ethics and whether you're willing as a politician to do the right thing
3:23
when I entered parliament which was the same day as Nigel Farage I literally stood next to him
3:29
in queues for some of our induction sessions and we were told in very plain terms many many times
3:37
you declare what you have received in the year running up to the general election doesn't matter
3:44
if you're in active politics or not doesn't matter if you were a candidate or not it doesn't matter
3:49
if you an MP or not That has to go in And Faraz has not been straight with people He spent his whole career dining out on taking back control but he not been straight with the British
4:04
people about who controls him. Josh Babarine, Liberal Democrat Party President and MP for Eastbourne, thank you. The same
4:11
group that came in, the same cohort of MPs as Nigel Farage, as you pointed out there
4:16
11 minutes after seven, to Robert Lord Hayward, polling expert and conservative peer
4:21
Even as I'm speaking, and you'll know how LBC works, I'm getting all the emails and the texts
4:25
there are many people saying they're trying to get after Nigel Farage, this is an inside job, he's not done anything wrong
4:31
How much does this affect his core vote, would you say, Robert
4:34
Good morning. Good morning. I think there are two groups of people
4:40
in relation to Reform Stroke Nigel Farage supporters. One of the absolute diehards, and there's a lot of them
4:46
His favourability of ratings amongst that group of people is very strong indeed
4:52
But there's also a group of people who are inclined towards reform, towards Nigel Farage
5:00
And there's been some sign in recent weeks and months that they are actually flaking away from reform from Nigel Farage because they're going to restore, they're going to uncertain or whatever
5:13
There's no question that it is having an effect on that second group of people
5:19
And can I just pick up, for example, on the clips you've just played? You will be able to intersperse, one, the comments you were asking about the five million
5:30
which was supposed to go for security at one point in explanation
5:34
But funnily enough, the money that's come from Cottrell is supposed to have gone for security as well
5:41
Now, it's some fascinating security. And associated with that, one thing that will really hurt a lot of people is Nigel Farage's comments about him being the most attacked politician
5:56
Just say that to the families of Joe Cox, David Amess or Nigel Jones, the former MP for Cheltenham, whose assistant was killed
6:06
they've all had people in their families lose their lives and there are many many politicians
6:14
who are being stalked who are being harassed in all sorts of different ways so it really is
6:21
unacceptable and this is a very personal statement but it's unacceptable for him to make those
6:27
comments when you have people like joe copps whose anniversary of her death was was very recently
6:34
A point very well made, something I should have referred to, and I will the next time I speak with Mr Farage
6:38
Where does this story go next, Robert? It should go along with the inquiry that's currently going in
6:46
And this is the problem that Robert Jenrick faced yesterday and didn't deal with
6:51
What they should say is, OK, these are allegations. If we say they're old hat, we'll put them into the basket along with the other items which are currently under investigation
7:01
We're quite happy to have them investigated because we'll come out the other end and we'll be shown to be clean
7:08
Instead of which they're going in all sorts of different directions And that second group of people to whom I referred who are not die-hard pharagists
7:18
They will be disappointed not to have had that as a response
7:24
Always enjoy speaking to you Thanks so much, very important points you made as well and they have been observed
7:29
Robert Lord Hayward, compelling expert and conservative peer. And even as I speak their opinions
7:35
there's nothing, he doesn't need to explain anything. This is all a media set of why you part of them
7:39
trying to bring Farage down. Someone here saying we need him more than ever. Well, we'll take your views on that
7:46
Elizabeth in Barnet So Elizabeth is that as they say in police terms something to see here or nothing at all What would you say Good morning Well I feel if there is something to see you know they ought to do the investigation as quickly as possible
8:00
I agree with that. And not let it hang. I don't blame Farage for going into cryptocurrency, you know, bearing in mind he was debanked by Coot
8:10
And, you know, that must have been the most awful thing. But I think the establishment are obviously terrified of him
8:16
and they're just digging up every single thing they can. I think that, you know, if they go into him
8:22
they've got to go into everybody, every other MP. Well, I don't know how many others get gifts of £5 million
8:30
in all honesty, Elizabeth. That does seem a fairly unique set of circumstances
8:34
Well, I think at the time, I mean, we all know that he is a huge target
8:37
and he put his head above the parapet and I think he deserves every penny
8:44
And I don't think people that really like reform are that bothered
8:49
Well, now that, I think, is a very interesting point because I do think that it's, in some instances
8:54
the fact that he is a businessman and he's a businessman more than he is a politician
8:59
and he's had a past. I think that's baked in if you're a Farage supporter, isn't it, in reality
9:04
Yes, definitely. You know, that is his past. A businessman, self-made, hard-working
9:11
Leave the bloke alone, that's all I can say. Leave the bloke alone is what you say? You will be aware of the weekend
9:18
Some fairly serious financial questions have been asked of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage
9:23
who has, it is reported, said that this is a hit job and that people are trying to bring him down
9:28
Is there a reaction from the government on this? Well, I think he's got really, really serious questions to answer
9:34
And to be honest, I'm really shocked to see the reaction from him
9:38
from Robert Jenrick on the telly yesterday, trying to obfuscate, trying to say there's nothing to see here
9:43
trying to accuse The Times of being a Labour-supporting newspaper. I did chuckle at that one
9:48
You and me both, Olivia. You know, I think it's ridiculous. I think it's offensive to the British public
9:55
I think there are serious questions to answer, and I hope that the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner
9:59
proceeds with their investigations. Let's get Steve in Oxford. Steve, your reaction
10:06
Is there something to see here, or is it an in... I'm sorry, a hit job, as he says
10:10
Good morning. Is it a work job, sorry? A hit job. It's an attempt to bring him down, is what he's saying
10:19
Well, you know, there's always going to be some anger on it. There's always going to be someone playing games
10:23
But what do you think, sir? What do you think it is? Well, I think he's always dined out for free on publicity for years
10:32
He's gotten away with it, and now he's getting questions asked, because he's getting closest to power, like anyone does
10:40
Yes. Well, is it right those questions are asked, though, Steve? We need them asked. It has to be asked
10:47
Ah, right. Why shouldn't it be asked? Yes. And the fact that he's wriggling around the way he is
10:52
just shows he's got something to hide. We had a polling expert on at the start of the show
10:59
who said that this, it won't affect die-hard Farage fans, Farageistas, if there is such a thing
11:05
but those who are on the fence would start to be affected by this
11:08
How accurate do you think that is, Steve? I think that's fairly accurate, yeah
11:14
At the end of the day, reform is a court. Farage is a leader of a court
11:22
These people have no morals, they've got no values, nothing. All they care about is he's their man, they follow him, he's doing what they want
11:31
and that is basically just leading a nationalistic and racist agenda that's all they care about
11:41
so I'm going to give them what they want they don care now if you want to challenge Steve give me a phone call you know that number or send in texts or emails or whatever Strong views from Steve I don think necessarily the lot of Reform UK voters would see themselves as racist or others
11:54
but how do you respond to Steve? Thank you for that. Let's take to some of the emails and texts that are coming in
11:59
Matt in Nottingham says, This is not a hit job. It's an own goal from a self-serving politician
12:03
who has only his own interests in mind. Lindsay says, Was it a hit job when he attacked Keir Starmer with his glasses
12:09
Please don't give this hit job argument any airtime. Bob in Chatham
12:13
Nigel Farage is a threat to the Labour Party, the Conservatives, the Civil Service and the establishment
12:18
What chance of a fair outcome to those investigations or inquiries? Answer, absolutely none
12:23
Jim in Somerset, do you think reform supporters would be saying nothing to see here
12:28
if Stam had been gifted £5 million and tens of thousands in other gifts from a criminal
12:34
I think not, says Jim in Somerset. Jonathan in India, it's outrageous Nigel Farage to be expected to follow the same rules as everyone else in politics
12:43
How dare they scrutinise his finances? He's obviously just as honest as he is handsome
12:48
And Jonathan signs that off with an exclamation mark. David is in Cambridge
12:54
David, does it bear all this scrutiny? What needs to happen here? Good morning. Morning, Nick
12:59
Nice talking to you. Good to have you on, sir. I don't think it does. I mean, it does bear scrutiny
13:04
But the reality is, do we want somebody running the country who understands how the world of business works
13:10
and how the world of, you know, look at Donald Trump for example, Donald Trump, you're not trying to say that he
13:14
never got involved with schmoozing and that sort of world. Is he doing a good job
13:20
of running America, do you think? Is he doing a good job? You probably have to live there to answer
13:26
that question. But what do you think? I think he probably is. I think he is
13:31
Okay. I think he seems to get stuff done. Whether he gets
13:34
stuff done in the right, you know, in different people's eyes, maybe
13:38
you know, people have a different opinion on that. But somebody like
13:42
Nigel. I've not voted for him and I wouldn't vote for him, but any
13:47
normal person wouldn't turn that amount of money down. And I think the difference between him
13:51
and Keir Starmer, Keir Starmer could clearly afford to buy his own glasses
13:55
and his own suit. They're kind of petty stuff, but what he's
13:59
done is, on the opposite end of the scale of it, it's a complete thing that no normal person would turn down. I don't
14:05
think anybody would criticise him for that other than a politician who wants to chuck
14:09
mud at him. But having taken it and then when I think it is you're sworn in as an MP
14:15
and it's made plain you need to talk about it, wouldn't you then think, ah, well, listen, I'll tell you what I've got to tell you about
14:19
There's five billion quid that suddenly arrived in my bank account. Yeah, and I think, I don't know where the rules are
14:25
You know, I haven't read the rules, but he's probably got a grey area in the rulebook
14:29
that's open to opinion, and I'm sure that whatever scrutiny he comes under
14:34
he will have an answer to that, and there's probably that big grey area in the middle that he's living on the edge of
14:40
that means that it's okay in the eyes of some people and not okay in the eyes of others
14:44
Yes, there is this sort of squeaky clean element that politicians are perceived to have
14:49
where they need to be an open book. But the reality is most of them aren't
14:53
Most of them have got business deals behind the scenes and will have had business deals behind the scenes
14:57
And really, do we want somebody running the country that understands how that world works
15:01
or do we want the country run by Mr Bean-type characters that don't understand how the world works
15:08
and even if rules well you're saying lastly David rules are there for a little bit of bending
15:13
I think they'll be worded in such a way that there is a grey area
15:19
they'll be open to interpretation and your interpretation and my interpretation might be different to that
15:24
but it's what's wrong in amongst that I think should be open to scrutiny
15:29
and my suspicion is that he will know exactly what the rules are
15:32
he's a clever bloke, he'll know exactly what the rules are he's probably read them to within an inch of his life
15:36
he's probably got a solicitor behind him that's explained that to him and he will have an explanation for why he done X, Y and Z in a certain way
15:44
David, thank you
#news