Nigel Farage, feeling uneasy, humorously suggested that the Queen might have harbored sympathy for Putin as he faced criticism for his admiration of the Russian leader. Meanwhile, Keir Starmer has called for an investigation into potential connections between Reform UK and Russia following the imprisonment of the party’s former Wales leader, Nathan Gill, for accepting bribes to promote pro-Russian views.
Gill received a 10-and-a-half-year sentence for accepting £40,000 to advocate for Russian interests in the European Parliament. Farage, responding to the scrutiny over his past comments praising Putin, drew a parallel by mentioning the Queen’s encounters with the Russian president during official engagements.
The Reform UK leader defended himself, attributing the controversy to Gill’s actions and downplaying it as a UKIP issue rather than a problem within Reform UK. Farage expressed difficulty in investigating the matter further and reiterated his past statements regarding Putin, emphasizing admiration for Putin’s political tactics but not his character.
Farage’s past comments in 2014, where he lauded Putin as the world leader he admired the most, have resurfaced to haunt him. He had also criticized the EU’s handling of Ukraine and had made numerous appearances on Russia Today between 2010 and 2014. Last year, he faced backlash for his remarks on Ukraine’s prospects and accused the West of prolonging the conflict.
The article also noted the Queen’s diplomatic interactions with Putin, including their first meeting in 2000. Moreover, it highlighted Farage’s history of controversial statements regarding Putin and Russia, raising concerns about his political affiliations.
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