British reform leader Farage interrupted by banner with a mocking view of Putin, World News

LONDON – A speech by Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain’s right-wing Reform UK party, was interrupted on Saturday evening (June 29) when a banner bearing the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin descended from the ceiling during an election rally.

Campaign group Led by Donkeys, which opposes Farage’s views, said it was responsible for the stunt at the Columbine Centre, near Walton on the Naze in south-east England, and posted a video of the unveiling on X.

It showed the banner slowly unfurling behind a speaking Farage, revealing a smiling Putin giving a thumbs-up along with the words “I (heart emoji) Putin”.

Led By Donkeys said on X: “Nigel Farage says Putin is the world leader he ‘most admires’ and blames the West for Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

He was referring to comments Farage made earlier this month when he said the eastern expansion of the European Union and NATO had provoked Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The comments, made in an interview with the BBC, sparked fierce criticism from across the British political spectrum ahead of the July 4 general election, in which Farage’s party is expected to win millions of votes.

When Farage saw the banner he said: “Who put that up there?” And he added: “Someone at the Columbine Center needs to be fired.”

The crowd then began chanting, “Rip it down.”

Reuters has asked Reform UK for comment.

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Farage is seeking election as a Member of Parliament (MP) in Clacton-on-Sea, which is ten miles from Walton on the Naze.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was hurt and angry after a Reform UK supporter was recorded making racist comments about him and said it was too important for him not to speak out.