Political commentator Peter Spencer has defended Nigel Farage amid controversy over his recent comments about Shamima Begum.
Spencer claimed the Reform UK leader was “just being thoughtful” and noted that Farage had not explicitly called for Begum’s return to the UK.
This comes after Nigel Farage has slammed an article by ITV News, stating that he never said that Begum should return to the UK.
“I’ve never wanted to. I’ve instinctively never wanted to. But I’m now thoughtful,” Farage said at Reform UK’s South East conference at Sandown Park Racecourse.
Nigel Farage said that he is “thoughtful” about the ISIS bride
PA
He added he doesn’t classify Begum as “an all out Isis killer” but rather “a lesser part of the equation.”
Spencer explained: “I have to say that I think there’s something rather confected about the row concerning Nigel Farage and his thoughts, because he didn’t he hasn’t said we’ve got to bring her back.
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“He’s simply saying, this is a moment where there should be a pause for thought.
“I have to say, there is a quite a significant part of me that says when she went out there as an Isis bride, she was a kid. She didn’t really know anything.
“Even though her British citizenship has been revoked, which is the British government’s justification for not letting her back, there is a humanitarian argument that says for God’s sake, she didn’t know what she was doing.
“Bring her back. So it’s a very, very complex and really quite emotive topic.”
Anne Diamond said the media “puts Farage on a pedestal”
GB News
Anne Diamond added: “I mean, we’re notorious in this country, aren’t we? Particularly in the media, for lauding somebody, putting them on a pedestal of some sort.
“And then the minute they’re put on a pedestal, we want to knock them off it, because that’s just the instinct of the media at the moment.”
Her comments come amid recent criticism of Farage, including from tech billionaire Elon Musk, who suggested Reform UK needs new leadership.
Musk later appeared to endorse Rupert Lowe, one of the party’s MPs, as a potential replacement for Farage.
Nigel Farage spoke at the Reform conference last night
PA
Farage responded to Musk’s criticism on social media, expressing surprise at the tech billionaire’s stance.
“Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree,” Farage wrote.
The disagreement appears to stem from Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson.
“My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles,” Farage stated.