Nigel Farage has hit back at Science Minister Peter Kyle, saying he was "absolutely disgusted" by the claim that the Reform UK leader is "on the side" of predators like Jimmy Savile.
The Labour MP doubled down on his controversial comments and refused to apologise, insisting that as the Reform UK leader wants to overturn the Online Safety Act, he is seeking to change "laws that keep children safe in our country."
Speaking this morning, Kyle said Farage is on the side of "extreme pornographers peddling hate and peddling violence."
In response from the Reform UK HQ, Farage 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.
Farage hit back at the Labour MP
|Reform UK
"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."
He added: "But all of this is, of course, deflection. Deflection, because we were told from the very start.
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"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.
"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."
WATCH: Peter Kyle defends his remarks about Nigel Farage on GB News
Kyle’s comments came as Reform UK — which is currently leading in the polls — vowed to scrap the UK’s Online Safety Act if elected, describing the legislation as an attempt at “censorship” and an “attack on free speech.”
Farage explained: “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.”
Peter Kyle has taken aim at Nigel Farage over his stance on the Online Safety Act | GB NewsSpeaking to GB News, Kyle defended his comments and claimed the views of the Reform UK leader are "grossly offensive".
He added: "Nigel Farage has said explicitly he wants to overturn that act. Words have consequences in politics, because if he gets in to power, he will overturn that act, and he will make it easier for predators and paedophiles to have access to children."
He added: "There is 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.
"Than you are 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."
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