"The leader of Reform UK, a right-wing populist party founded in 2018 as the Brexit Party which has since rebranded and is known for its controversial anti-immigration and eurosceptic policies, appeared as a witness before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday (3 September). During the hearing, Farage claimed the UK has "sunk into" a "really awful authoritarian situation" and had become "North Korea". To back this up, he cited concerns over the Online Safety Act, recent arrest of gender-critical pundit Graham Linehan and jailing of Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Conservative councillor who was handed a prison sentence for social media posts calling for hotels housing asylum seekers to be set on fire."
"Farage also claimed the Online Safety Act will negatively impact trade between the US and UK as well as "threaten free speech across the West because of the knock-on rollout effects of this legislation from us or from the European Union". Whilst Republican representatives appeared to be receptive to Farage's claims, Democrats were more critical."
"@independent Nigel Farage has been dubbed a "Putin-loving free speech imposter and Trump sycophant" by a US congressman, who launched a savage takedown of the Reform leader before he was set to give evidence in Washington DC. Jamie Raskin urged voters in Britain to "think twice" before voting for Mr Farage, accusing him of only protecting free speech he agrees with."
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, appeared as a witness before the US House Judiciary Committee and described the UK as having "sunk into" an authoritarian situation. He cited the Online Safety Act, the arrest of Graham Linehan, and the jailing of Lucy Connolly as evidence of shrinking free speech. Farage warned the law could harm US–UK trade and set a precedent threatening free speech across the West through knock-on legislative effects. Republican representatives showed receptivity, while Democrats, led by Jamie Raskin, criticized Farage and urged British voters to reconsider support.
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