Nigel Farage is under renewed scrutiny to respond following a statement made by one of his MPs that appeared to equate supporting LGBT rights with endorsing Hamas.
During a Reform UK promotional event broadcast on YouTube, the Tory defector, Danny Kruger, voiced concerns about the rise of an “LGBT supporting” coalition in the UK. This comment, first reported by The Mirror, drew sharp criticism from a Labour MP in the House of Commons, who described it as “beyond the pale.”
In response, Labour’s Peter Swallow emphasized the importance of LGBT rights as a core aspect of British values and urged fellow MPs to reaffirm this stance to Mr. Kruger and the Reform party. Swallow, a gay man himself, expressed pride in supporting LGBT rights and condemned any comparison between such support and backing Hamas, a terrorist group known for persecuting LGBT individuals.
Reflecting on the implications of Kruger’s remarks, Swallow questioned how parliamentarians could collectively reinforce the message that upholding LGBT rights is intrinsic to British values and the principles of the Parliament.
Reform has been contacted for a statement regarding the incident. Kruger, son of TV personality Prue Leith, warned of a potential future where a nationalist party supporting both Hamas and LGBT rights could lead the UK. He highlighted the perceived challenges posed by mainstream political parties and expressed concerns about the country’s direction.
Polly Billington, a Labour MP, criticized Kruger’s comments as divisive and outdated, emphasizing the negative impact they could have on communities, particularly on LGBT individuals. She called for condemnation from political figures like Nigel Farage in response to such rhetoric.
This incident has sparked debates about the intersection of political ideologies and social issues, with calls for a reaffirmation of support for LGBT rights as a cornerstone of British values.