UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hit back at Technology Secretary Peter Kyle’s claim that he supports “extreme pornographers,” calling it “beyond the belt.”
As reported by The Independent, Nigel Farage has renewed his demand for a Cabinet minister to apologise after being accused of siding with “extreme pornographers.”
A political row intensified on Tuesday after Peter Kyle said Nigel Farage backs individuals “like Jimmy Savile” over plans to repeal online safety laws.
What did Nigel Farage say about Peter Kyle’s ‘disgusting’ remarks?
Reform UK leader said,
“This is so absolutely disgusting. That is almost beyond belief. Just how low can a Labour Government sink in its desperation? Yes, of course they’re in trouble, they’re well behind us in the opinion polls.”
He stated,
“But frankly, to say that I would do anything that would in any way aid and abet people like Jimmy Savile is frankly so below the belt. But all of this is, of course, deflection. Deflection, because we were told from the very start.”
Mr Farage said,
“And by the way, it’s not the Labour Government that passed this legislation. It was the previous Conservative Government, which is why you’ve barely heard a squeak out of them. If it’s designed to protect children, then I suspect it may very well have been drawn up by people who don’t know what they’re doing.”
He stated,
“I did ask Peter Kyle for an apology, but he’s gone out on X and made it clear he’s not going to back down in any way at all. So there we are. You know, if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act, apparently you’re on the side of predators. It’s as simple as that.”
The Reform leader added,
“Over the course of the last 48 hours, we have been putting out criticisms of the Online Safety Act, an Act that has come into being in several stages over the last two years. On July 25, the final phase kicked in. Already, we are seeing censorship, and as a party, we are deeply worried about the implications for free speech and the future of social media. Of course, remember, it’s all supposed to be about protecting children.”
What did Zia Yusuf say about Peter Kyle’s Savile remarks?
Zia Yusuf, former party chairman, criticised Peter Kyle’s comments, saying they showed the government’s lack of seriousness on child protection. He added that referencing Jimmy Savile in that way was disrespectful to the victims.
He stated that the remarks are
“One of the most outrageous and disgusting things a politician has said in the political arena that I can remember. And that’s quite a high bar, frankly.”
How did Peter Kyle defend his attack on Farage?
Peter Kyle defended his remarks in an interview, calling the Reform UK leader’s views “grossly offensive.”
He said,
“Nigel Farage has said explicitly he wants to overturn that act. Words have consequences in politics, because if he gets into power, he will overturn that act, and he will make it easier for predators and paedophiles to have access to children.”
Mr Kyle added,
“There are no definitive grey areas about this. Either you’re on the side of predators and paedophiles, as Nigel Farage is, because he wants them to have more access to our children online. Thank you for being with the Labour Party, where we are making sure we are holding the tech companies to account, to prevent that kind of access, to keep children safer.”
Keir Starmer’s views on the Online Safety Act
Sir Keir Starmer rejected claims of censorship, insisting the legislation’s aim is protection, not suppression of speech.
He said,
“We’ve got some measures which are there to protect children, in particular, from sites like suicide sites.”
The Labour leader added,
“I personally feel very strongly that we should protect our young teenagers, and that’s what it usually is, from things like suicide sites. I don’t see that as a free speech issue, I see that as child protection.”
Key facts about the Online Safety Act
- Keeps kids safe – Sites must block harmful content from kids, like porn or bullying. Age checks are now required.
- Blocks illegal content – Platforms must remove things like terrorism or child abuse quickly.
- Big fines for breaking rules – Companies can be fined up to £18 million or 10% of global income.
- More control for adults – Adults can filter harmful content and avoid anonymous trolls.