Nigel Farage will raise Lucy Connolly's imprisonment to senior allies of Donald Trump next week as the Reform UK leader heads to Washington to warn top Republicans about Britain backsliding on free speech.
Mr Farage, who will later next week appear at Reform UK's second annual conference at the NEC in Birmingham, will give evidence to the House Judiciary Committee as part of a hearing on the effect that UK and European online safety laws are having on US tech giants.
Republican Congressman Jim Jordan invited Mr Farage after the pair met up in Westminster last month.
Despite Donald Trump stopping short of criticising Sir Keir Starmer during his return to the White House, the committee is expected to bring into question the Prime Minister's handling of free speech.
Speaking ahead of his transatlantic trip, Mr Farage said: “I think it’s a very clear example of what’s gone wrong.
"I shall say [at the hearing] that I’m worried that Europe, the European Union, is heading down a route that’s putting it in direct conflict with American businesses.
"And I fear we’re being dragged down the same path, I genuinely do."
The Reform UK leader is also expected to raise concerns about the Online Safety Act.
Nigel Farage with Donald Trump on the campaign trail in 2016 | GETTYThe Online Safety Act sparked a bitter row between Mr Farage and his Labour rivals, with Technology Secretary Peter Kyle accusing the Reform UK leader of being "on the same side" of Jimmy Savile.
Mr Jordan held a free speech meeting with Mr Farage last month during a whistle-stop visit to the UK.
Speaking to GB News after the meeting, Mr Jordan said: “We’re concerned about free expression in the United Kingdom.
"We’re primarily concerned about the impacts your laws could have on American citizens.
Lucy Connolly was handed a 31 month prison sentence | PA “American citizens enjoy five fundamental freedoms. Your right to practice your faith, your right to assemble, your right to petition the government, free press and free speech.
“The most important fundamental is the last one, our right to talk. If you can’t speak, you can’t practice your faith, you can’t share your faith, you can’t petition your Government and you can’t criticise your Government and you don’t have a free press."
However, Mr Farage's visit also comes after Tory MP Andrew Rosindell demanded that the Reform UK leader takes Sir Ed Davey's place at the US President's State Banquet next month.
The Liberal Democrat leader confirmed his intention to skip the event over Mr Trump's stance on Israel's war in Gaza.
Donald Trump's friendship with Nigel Farage could offer hope in repairing the Special Relationship. | GETTY
Responding to the suggestion, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice told the People's Channel: "Nigel should be there on his own account, not as Ed Davey's replacement."
Mr Farage was not initially invited because Reform only returned five MPs to the House of Commons after the 2024 General Election.
However, Mr Tice pointed out that Reform UK's support has now hit 35 per cent in the opinion polls and highlighted Mr Farage's success in the 2025 Local Elections.
Despite calls for Mr Farage to attend the State Banquet, the Clacton MP has admitted that it is difficult for him to maintain a close friendship with Mr Trump following Reform UK's enormous rise in the opinion polls.
Republican Representative Jim Jordan extended the invitation to Nigel Farage
| REUTERSSpeaking last month, Mr Farage said: "When he was up in Turnberry last May, I was there for GB News actually. But I was there and I stayed there.
"And I was obviously back for the campaign in November and I was in Mar-A-Lago on the fifth and sixth."
Admitting the pair are now in an "awkward position" in their alliance, Mr Farage added: "I'm in a slightly awkward position now, or he's in a slightly awkward position with me.
"I can't just bowl up on a friendly trip for diplomatic reasons, whilst he's there with the Prime Minister negotiating steel tariffs and much else, it just doesn't work."