Video
Nigel Farage snaps in Andrew Neil interview over Islamophobia in Brexit Party
Nigel Farage is interviewed by Andrew Neil. Photograph: BBC. - Credit: Archant
Nigel Farage has claimed he is 'not a walking encyclopedia' when he was asked about some of the extreme views of his Brexit Party candidates.
Farage was asked by BBC presenter Andrew Neil if he thought it was acceptable to call Islam a "child rapist death cult", to which he responded: "No it wouldn't be, why?"
Interviewer Neil revealed that the comments weren't his personally - but were made by candidate David Ballantine, standing in Edinburgh South West.
The Brexiteer claimed the organisation had dropped Ballantine, but it was pointed out he remains on the ballot paper under the Brexit Party.
Farage responded: "Any attempt that gets made to try and paint the Brexit Party into being a right wing political party, that would harbour anybody with extreme views, is completely and utterly wrong."
You may also want to watch:
"If we found out [about his comments] later, and we sacked him subsequently, there isn't much we can do," he added.
That is despite insistence from the organisation they were vetting them thoroughly.
Most Read
- 1 Susanna Reid takes on Priti Patel over government's gaslighting of public on coronavirus
- 2 Jacob Rees-Mogg says it's 'all the EU's fault' musicians can't tour Europe
- 3 Tory minister admits UK rejected EU's music visa offer in order to 'take back control' of borders
- 4 Piers Morgan tells Gavin Williamson to resign for being a 'catastrophe'
- 5 PMQs: Ben Bradshaw calls out Boris Johnson over Brexit lies
- 6 ‘Don’t haste ye back’ - Nicola Sturgeon's perfect farewell message to Donald Trump
- 7 Tory MP complains 'less scrutiny of trade deals' than when UK was in EU
- 8 Comedian wins praise after shaming No 10 during Dancing on Ice appearance
- 9 The greatest failure of government in our lifetime
- 10 Brexiteer musician accused of hypocrisy after demanding No 10 help bands with EU visa
Neil asked Farage if it was acceptable to claim "Islam is the problem, and until we destroy them, the world will never be a safe place".
A tetchy Farage insisted his organisation had "more diversity of background, of class, of race, than any other party in Britain".
MORE: Brexit Party general election candidate dropped after claiming she's from a distant star
MORE: Brexit Party stands by candidate who shared warnings of Muslim 'takeover'
The interviewed continued to point out the comment was made by Andrew Garcarz, their candidate for Birmingham Ladywood.
"I have absolutely zero idea. How would I?", before adding: "I'm not a walking encyclopedia, sorry."
He was unable to say what action had been taken, but said: "I'm sure. If some idiots slip through the net, they will have been got rid off immediately".
Again it was pointed out to him that he would still be on the ballot paper on election day.
MORE: Brexit Party stands by candidate accused of 'dressing up as a Nazi' by Labour opponentFarage snapped: "Any anti-Semites [comments] in there? Or are they all working for Labour?"The conversation went on to discuss Donald Trump and past comments about the NHS, in which he had called for an insurance-based system for funding the health service.
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
