Nigel Farage claims Frankie Boyle 'completely misunderstood' him over Ukip immigration policies after comedian compared leader to Nazi
The Ukip leader continues the verbal joust between himself and the comedian
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nigel Farage is just misunderstood, or so he claims in his latest response to Frankie Boyle.
The clash began as a heated 'discussion' on the alleged left-wing bias of comedians as apparently seen on shows such as Mock The Week.
“I see Frankie Boyle completely misunderstood me,” tweeted Farage yesterday. “Have a laugh, sure, but persistent bias is a great shame. Thoughts?”
He later posted another seeming dig at Boyle, sharing a BBC link about Ukip calling for Syrian refugees to be allowed into the UK.
“It'd be great if 'comedians' understood our immigration policy and approach to refugees, before commenting.”
The two have been embroiled in a row since last week, which started on Twitter over a spat between Mock the Week presenter Dara Ó Briain and right-wing comic Andrew Lawrence, culminating in both Farage and Boyle writing dedicated columns on the subject.
In a piece written for The Independent, the Ukip leader wrote:
“One week I’m Hitler’s buddy, then next week the Tower of London’s Poppy Memorial is hailed as 'Ukip-style' attraction in the Guardian. Well – which is it? Am I pro-freedom, or anti-freedom? Am I a modern Hitler or a modern Churchill?”
Yesterday, in a column for the Guardian, Boyle sought to answer his question, suggesting that Ukip is the second coming of Nazis “without the style”.
“Well Nigel, you seem to be pro-freedom for big business and rich people, anti-freedom for immigrants, asylum seekers, gay people and other marginalised groups,” he wrote.
“Does that also answer the second question or shall I go on? You ask if you’re a Hitler or a Churchill. Well, your party forms pacts with right-wing Holocaust deniers.
“The poppy memorial was described as 'Ukip-style' not because your party is imbued with the same Churchillian values as the poppy, but because the stunt itself was viewed as the sort of crass politicisation of patriotism that your party is so fond of.”
The row originally started when Ó Briain called Lawrence “bitter” and “self-delusional” for criticising panel shows including Mock The Week for its alleged “liberal back-slapping”, arguing that such programmes feature “ageing, balding, fat men, ethnic comedians and women-posing-as-comedians” making jokes at the expense of Ukip and Farage.
Naturally, Farage sided with Lawrence, praising him for his honesty on Twitter.
Boyle responded, posting: “There are a lot of honest people in comedy, which is why they keep calling you a c**t.”
The Ukip leader wrote: “Probably the funniest thing I've ever heard you say,” to which Boyle retorted: “You didn't hear me say it you daft b*stard.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments