Politics LIVE: Nigel Farage vows - 'I'd shoot down Russian jets as PM' in broadside against 'bad dude' Vladimir Putin

Shabana Mahmood does not inspire me with confidence because we have heard it all before, says Nigel Farage |

GB NEWS

Aymon Bertah

By Aymon Bertah


Published: 17/10/2025

- 07:36

Updated: 17/10/2025

- 08:27
Aymon Bertah

By Aymon Bertah


Published: 17/10/2025

- 07:36

Updated: 17/10/2025

- 08:27

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Nigel Farage has revealed he would shoot down Russian drones if he were elected Prime Minister in what marks the Reform UK leader's strongest remarks on Russia.

The comments come after he came under cross-party fire, accusing him of being soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin who he admitted was a "very bad dude".


"I was really hoping that Trump would bring Putin to heel," Mr Farage told Bloomberg.

"That some kind of compromise could be struck, as it's just been recently struck with Gaza and Israel. Clearly, that is not going to happen."

The Reform leader also said Britain would use frozen Russian assets to help aid Ukraine, saying "if they're there through illegal means, they should be".

When asked what he would do about Russian jets travelling into Nato territory, Mr Farage said: "Gotta shoot them down".

However, Mr Farage fell short of committing to putting British troops on the ground in Ukraine if there was a ceasefire, adding: "I'd be very cautious about doing that" and instead he could throw his support behind a putting a "UN force", comparing the approach to Korea.

The Reform leader said he expects "the Americans beginning to deliver Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv".

"I think Trump feels that Putin has made a fool of him. Clearly, Putin is not a rational man," Mr Farage said.

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Shadow Transport Secretary says banning Maccabi Tel Aviv fans is an 'unbelievable decision' 

Richard Holden told GB News the decision to ban Israeli fans from Maccabi Tel Aviv from the Aston Villa match in Birmingham was the "completely wrong decision".

"It's an unbelievable decision and I cannot believe that MPs in Birmingham, some of them have been welcoming this decision," he said.

"People should be able to go to football matches, it's unbelievable that we're now seeing this pick and choose approach ... I cannot believe we are now seeing Jewish people basically being told they cannot attend a football match here in the United Kingdom."

Mr Holden said it was an "utter disgrace" and the Government needed to intervene.

Richard Holden claims Rachel Reeves will 'shake down' Britons at every chance she gets

Richard Holden

Richard Holden slammed Rachel Reeves, saying taxpayers will be 'shaken down' at every chance

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GB NEWS

The Shadow Transport Secretary said he was "convinced that ... everywhere a taxpayer can be shaken down, Rachel Reeves is going to shake them down".

"This Government came to power with no plan, and the Prime Minister has no backbone to stand up to his own backbenchers," Richard Holden said on GB News.

"When Parliament had the opportunity to slow the increase ... of the amount we were paying in welfare, Labour MPs voted against it."

He said ultimately taxpayers would pay the price for the Government's poor decisions.

Shadow Transport Secretary questions how 'anybody can believe' what Keir Starmer says

Richard Holden has told GB News that he finds it "difficult to see how anybody can believe the Prime Minister said".

"The Prime Minister says there is absolutely no political involvement whatsoever," the Shadow Transport Secretary said.

Mr Holden said Sir Keir said "on the one hand" that he "was desperately keen to ensure there was prosecutions in this case".

"Yet days before the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) said they were basically going to collapse the trial, and they did absolutely nothing," he added.

When questioned about whether politics should be involved in the judicial process, Mr Holden said when it comes to national security, and "when the Government is literally the ones when its parliament literally spying in the House of Commons ... allegedly".

Mr Holden said the Government was not providing the necessary evidence and "it absolutely stinks", calling on the Government to answer "massive questions" over the case.

Your Party celebrates Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being barred from Aston Villa match

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's Your Party has congratulated Ayoub Khan MP "successfully" campaigning for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from being barred from their team's away match to Aston Villa.

"Well done to Ayoub and all those who successfully campaigned for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to be barred from attending the match at Aston Villa," the party posted on X.

"No business as usual with a genocidal state.

"Boycott, divest, sanction!"

Home Secretary now urged to SACK West Midlands Police chief for 'failing to protect Jews'

Shabana Mahmood has been urged to sack West Midlands Police's Chief Constable for "failing to guarantee the safety of Jews" in Birmingham.

It emerged on Thursday that fans of Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv would be barred from their fixture against Aston Villa on November 6.

A mass outcry then followed, with Sir Keir Starmer, Israel's Foreign Minister, and the leaders of Reform UK, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats all condemning the move.

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