Minister accuses Farage of being on side of ‘pornographers' in online safety row
Former Reform chairman Zia Yusuf claimed the remarks are 'one of the most outrageous and disgusting things apolitician has said in the political arena'.
Peter Kyle's comments on @SkyNews are disgusting. He should do the right thing and apologise.
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 29, 2025
Under rules that came into effect on July 25, online platforms such as social media sites and search engines must take steps to prevent children accessing harmful content such as pornography or material that encourages suicide.
Mr Yusuf said on Monday that the party would repeal the legislation if they got into Government, claiming it works to 'suppress freedom of speech' and 'force social media companies to censor anti-government speech'.
Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday, Mr Kyle said that children have been living in a 'wild west' and labelled the new law 'a big step forward'.
He added: 'I see that Nigel Farage is already saying that he's going to overturn these laws. So you know, we have people out there who are extreme pornographers, peddling hate, peddling violence. Nigel Farage is on their side.
'Make no mistake about it, if people like Jimmy Savile were alive today, he'd be perpetrating his crimes online. And Nigel Farage is saying that he's on their side.'
If you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. It is as simple as that. https://t.co/oVArgFvpcW
— Peter Kyle (@peterkyle) July 29, 2025
Asked to clarify his comments, Mr Kyle said: 'Nigel Farage is on the side of turning the clock back to the time when strange adults, strangers can get in touch via messaging apps with children.'
Mr Farage reacted on X by calling Mr Kyle's remarks 'disgusting' and said 'he should do the right thing and apologise'.
Mr Kyle then doubled down on his comments in response, and said that 'if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. It is as simple as that.'
Mr Yusuf claimed that Mr Kyle's remarks showed 'how deeply unserious' the Government was about child safety, adding: 'Talking about Jimmy Savile in that way does nothing other than denigrate the victims of Jimmy Savile.'
He told Sky News that the comments are 'one of the most outrageous and disgusting things a politician has said in the political arena that I can remember. And that's quite a high bar, frankly.'
Sir Keir Starmer jumped to defend the legislation from its critics when he met Donald Trump on Monday, telling reporters 'We're not censoring anyone'.
'We've got some measures which are there to protect children, in particular, from sites like suicide sites.'
He added: 'I personally feel very strongly that we should protect our young teenagers, and that's what it usually is, from things like suicide sites. I don't see that as a free speech issue, I see that as child protection.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
ANGELA RAYNER: 'National Minimum Wage was a lifeline for me and other low-paid workers'
Deputy PM Angela Rayner writes for The Mirror as the Low Pay Commission begins its annual work to consult with employers, trade unions and workers on the National Minimum Wage Like many Mirror readers, I know what it's like to graft every day just to cover the bills – but still struggle to make ends meet. As a young single mum, I worked long night shifts as a home help on low pay to get me and my young family through the week. That's why the National Minimum Wage - launched by the last Labour government - was such a lifeline for me and for other low paid workers. It put more money in my pocket and gave me the security and opportunity I needed to get on in life. But after 14 years of Tory failure, stagnation and decline that's no longer the reality for millions of hardworking people across the country who simply cannot afford to get by. This Labour government was elected a year ago on a promise to Make Work Pay. Which is why, within weeks of taking office we told the Low Pay Commission to consider the cost of living for the first time when setting the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. As a result, more than 3 million workers got an inflation busting boost to their pay packets from April, worth up to £1,400 a year. This helped raise living standards for the lowest paid who are the backbone of our economy. It also delivered a record cash increase for young people and apprentices – our skilled workers of tomorrow. And today, alongside my friend the Business Secretary, I will urge the Low Pay Commission to build on this success by pushing even further to make a genuine living wage a reality. We want to continue narrowing the pay gap for 18 to 20-year-olds as we move closer to setting a single rate for all adult workers in the years to come. This is our Plan for Change in action. This our promise to Make Work Pay. But it doesn't stop there. This is a government on the side of working people. You are at the heart of our landmark Employment Rights Bill, now going through Parliament. This Bill will tackle the low wages, job insecurity and poor conditions that working people face. It will bring stronger protections against unfair sackings, make sure workers get paid sick pay from day one, and stop you being threatened with dismissal for refusing to take lower pay. And it will guarantee hours and make work more flexible and family-friendly – benefits that will support business by creating a healthier, more productive workforce. Unelected Tory and Lib Dem Lords, cheered on by Nigel Farage and Reform are trying to block these rights in Parliament. But this Labour Government was elected by you to deliver them, and we will not let them get away with it. These historic reforms consulted with employers and trade unions are pro-worker, pro-business and pro-growth. So, if you are in casual work without guaranteed hours, if you are working hard on low pay but can't afford the essentials. Or if you want a country that is fairer for working people - then this Labour government is working for you. And we will keep on delivering.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Reform UK leader accused of making unsubstantiated claims
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, claimed at a press conference that asylum seekers exploit the UK system, receive benefits, and work illegally. His remarks followed an incident where protesters reportedly attempted to enter a hotel housing asylum seekers in Canary Wharf. Charities like Care4Calais and Hope Not Hate criticised Farage, accusing him of spreading "unevidenced fears" and divisive "populist politics". Care4Calais stated Farage's rhetoric sows division and endangers people seeking sanctuary, drawing parallels to past race riots. Farage also alleged a "cover-up" regarding an alleged rape in Nuneaton and made unsubstantiated claims about safety in London, which were refuted by the Mayor's office.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Nigel Farage will NOT pledge to ban trans inmates from women's jails
Nigel Farage has failed to commit to banning trans women from female prisons after his new justice adviser said they should not be automatically barred. Vanessa Frake, a former prison governor who oversaw the detention of Rose West, said decisions on where to house inmates should be made on an 'individual basis'. Asked for his views on her comments yesterday, the Reform UK leader told the Daily Mail: 'I've personally never worked in a prison so I can't answer [the question] but I think you'll find that the answer that you'll get from somebody who has worked in prisons at the highest possible level is, I think, basically it's about risk assessment, isn't it? 'But in terms of the problems in prisons, it's a relatively small one.' A Reform spokesman later added of Ms Frake: 'An ex-prison governor... has a different opinion. That does not constitute party policy.' In an interview to mark her appointment, Ms Frake said decisions about trans prisoners should be made on a case-by-case basis. But she told The Times that sexual offenders may need to be held in male prisons. 'It's all about the risk assessments for me, and each has to be done on an individual basis,' she said. Ms Frake said trans prisoners she had overseen were 'accepted' by other inmates and added: 'People who want to just say a blanket ban clearly have never stepped foot in a prison and seen how prison runs and how risk assessments on individuals happen.' But Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Reform's 'law and order' plan was 'hiding a complete betrayal of women's safety'. 'Nigel Farage promised a major crime announcement but instead delivered an adviser who thinks men belong in women's prisons. 'Farage calls that a 'small' issue – tell that to the women who've been sexually assaulted and terrorised behind bars.' Mr Farage criticised 'transgender indoctrination' in Britain earlier this year but has also defended his record on trans rights. This year the Supreme Court ruled trans women can be excluded from women-only spaces, including prisons.
