Farage Clashes with US Congressman Raskin Over Free Speech During London Visit

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A discussion on global free speech policy turned combative in London on Tuesday when Reform UK leader Nigel Farage interrupted U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin during remarks on former President Donald Trump and American political dynamics.

The meeting, hosted as part of a congressional visit by U.S. lawmakers, was intended to focus on international free speech issues. However, according to multiple attendees, tensions escalated when Rep. Jamie Raskin (Democrat – Maryland) referenced perceived threats to free expression in the United States, citing former President Donald Trump as a concern. Mr Farage reportedly interjected, stating, “We’re not here to talk about Donald Trump,” before criticising Mr Raskin’s approach and calling him “the most pig-headed person he’d ever met”.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Mr Raskin recounted that Mr Farage told him to act like a guest, to which he replied that the Reform UK leader should behave like a proper host. The exchange occurred toward the end of what had otherwise been a civil dialogue, attendees said.

Also present at the event were U.S. Democratic Representatives Lou Correa (California), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), and Eric Swalwell (California), who corroborated the account. While some described Mr Farage’s reaction as excessive, others noted that the meeting resumed shortly after and remained productive.

Mr Farage has not issued a public statement regarding the incident. The conversation took place during a broader visit by a U.S. delegation, led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (Republican – Ohio), aimed at discussing digital regulation and free speech concerns in Europe and the UK.

One focal point of the visit was the UK’s Online Safety Act, a law aimed at protecting users, especially minors, from harmful online content. The legislation requires age verification and mandates that platforms remove or restrict access to certain materials, with substantial penalties for non-compliance.

Critics, including Mr Farage and members of the U.S. delegation, have voiced concern that the Act may impose undue restrictions on lawful expression and negatively impact U.S.-based technology companies. Mr Farage’s Reform UK party has indicated its intention to challenge or repeal the legislation if given the opportunity, citing potential overreach and threats to civil liberties.

In response, UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle accused Farage of aligning himself with extremists, an allegation Mr Farage denounced as “absolutely disgusting” and “below the belt” during a broadcast interview with ITN.

The U.S. delegation’s itinerary also included a visit to Brussels, where similar concerns were raised about the European Union’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act. Lawmakers warned that these measures may restrict open discourse and disproportionately affect U.S. tech firms operating in European markets.

Speaking to GB News, U.S. Representative Scott Fitzgerald (Republican – Wisconsin) stated, “The American companies we’ve spoken to have laid out the case their legal teams have been battling on many fronts. You’ll see a continued fight, step-by-step, to ensure this doesn’t creep into America.”

While the episode between Farage and Raskin drew headlines, both sides returned to the broader discussion on policy shortly after the exchange. Mr Raskin noted that despite their differences, members of the U.S. delegation, both Republican and Democrat, continued to engage constructively throughout the remainder of the visit.