Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she has “full confidence” in Angela Rayner as the deputy PM faces an ethics investigation after admitting underpaying stamp duty on her seaside flat.
Ms Rayner referred herself to the ministerial ethics adviser on Wednesday after admitting, following days of silence, that she had wrongly listed her flat, earning a tax break reportedly worth up to £40,000.
Ms Reeves told broadcasters that Ms Rayner had made a “mistake” but that she still stood behind her “good friend”.
She said: “Yes, I have full confidence in Angela Rayner. She’s a good friend and a colleague she has accepted the right stamp duty wasn’t paid. That was an error, that was a mistake. She is working hard now to rectify that, in contact with HMRC to make sure that the correct tax is paid.”
The Conservatives have already called for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to investigate Ms Rayner. The deputy prime minister’s explanation that she was given inaccurate legal advice “cannot withstand scrutiny”, Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said in a letter to HMRC calling for the tax authority to open a tax evasion investigation.
UK Politics LIVE
- Reeves: I have full confidence in Angela Rayner
- Rayner consulted three people about house purchase, report says
- Minister refuses to say if Rayner should quit over stamp duty row
- Angela Rayner admits underpaying stamp duty on Hove flat
Labour says Rayner tax scandal different from previous Tory issues
10:09 , Tom WatlingConservative politicians have been quick to accuse Angela Rayner and the Labour party of hypocrisy over their defence for the deputy PM despite her stamp duty scandal.
Nadhim Zahawi retweeted on Wednesday a video of Ms Rayner saying she and her children were “distressed” by the latest scandal, asking: “Did you think about my children?”
Ms Rayner led a campaign against Mr Zahawi when he was accused of tax errors, though the figure was considerably more, at around £5 million. It cost Mr Zahawi his job as Tory Party chairman.
Defending Ms Rayner against the accusations of hypocrisy this morning, education secretary Bridget said the case was different from scandals under the previous Conservative government, saying: “What we saw in some of those cases in the past was a lack of scrutiny and a lack of transparency.
“The Deputy Prime Minister has sought to be transparent, has set out in some detail, which has been difficult given that it relates to her family, extensive information.”
Starmer needs to show he is on the side of working people or Farage will become PM, warns Labour’s biggest backer
10:03 , Tom Watling
Working people don’t think Starmer is on their side, warns Labour’s biggest backer
Tories call for Rayner to resign
09:57 , Tom WatlingThe Conservative Party has reiterated it’s calls for deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to resign.
In a post on X, they wrote: “Time to go Angela Rayner.”
Time to go @AngelaRayner. pic.twitter.com/2Uvc5FnOWC
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) September 4, 2025
Reeves declines to say stamp duty tax rules too complicated
09:53 , Tom WatlingChancellor Rachel Reeves has declined to say whether she thought stamp duty was too complicated, saying it was “incumbent on all of us to try to properly understand the rules”.
Asked whether the row over Angela Rayner’s tax affairs showed stamp duty was too complex, the Chancellor told broadcasters: “Angela tried to do the right thing and, of course, it is incumbent on all of us to try to properly understand the rules, and she is now working to make sure that the correct tax is paid.”
Reeves: I have full confidence in Angela Rayner
09:39 , Tom WatlingRachel Reeves said she had “full confidence” in Angela Rayner and described her as a “good friend and colleague”.
She told broadcasters: “Yes, I have full confidence in Angela Rayner. She’s a good friend and a colleague she has accepted the right stamp duty wasn’t paid.
“That was an error, that was a mistake. She is working hard now to rectify that, in contact with HMRC to make sure that the correct tax is paid.
“Anyone that saw Angela’s statement yesterday, saw her interview yesterday, I think will have a lot of sympathy with some of the challenging family circumstances around this, around Angela’s disabled son, but of course, it is right that people pay their right amount of tax.”
She said the “definitive advice” on the Deputy Prime Minister’s stamp duty arrangements came in on Wednesday morning.
Corbyn to host unofficial tribunal into UK handling of Gaza war
09:22 , Tom WatlingFormer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will open a two-day public inquiry into alleged British complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza today.
The two-day, unofficial inquiry will be live streamed from London and has been designed to look at Britain’s legal responsibilities for what has happened in Gaza over the past nearly two years, including whether the UK provided cover support for Israel and whether the government’s actions match any legal obligations to prevent a genocide.
The United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories, Francesca Albanese, and a former Foreign Office whistleblower will give evidence.
While the tribunal holds no official weight, it will be a pain for Sir Keir Starmer as his party seeks to retain the backing of the leftwing and Muslim voters at the next election.
Mr Corbyn is an outspoken champion of the plight of Palestinians and has been a regular at the demonstrations in London.
The government blocked an independent inquiry into British complicity in the Gaza genocide.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 4, 2025
So, today, we’re holding our own. pic.twitter.com/OuWaKjYcbx
Minister won't say Rayner will still be in post at Christmas
08:56 , Tom WatlingBridget Phillipson has declined to say whether Angela Rayner would still be Deputy Prime Minister at Christmas.
Asked whether Ms Rayner would still be in the role, the Education Secretary told LBC she would not “speculate on or pre-judge” the outcome of an investigation by the Prime Minister's ethics adviser.
She said: “We've got a process that's under way with the independent adviser.
“I'm not going to get into hypotheticals or speculate. I'm sorry to disappoint you. I'm just not going to do it. That process will run its course.”
Starmer ‘determined’ to save Angela Rayner amid tax dodge probe
08:30 , Tom Watling
Starmer ‘determined’ to save Angela Rayner amid tax dodge probe
Former Tory chairman says he wants Rayner to stay in post
08:31 , Tom WatlingA former Chairman of the Conservative Party has said he would like Angela Rayner to stay in her post as “an example of hypocrisy”.
Speaking on GB News, Lord Johnson said: “I know we've called for her resignation; that's the political thing to do, but I dislike this endless calling for everyone's resignation immediately something happens.
“I quite like Angela Rayner. As a Conservative, I like keeping her out there because she's basically a Conservative. She wants to buy a wonderful home and have a great life.
“So actually, having her out there as an example of hypocrisy is fabulous. I don't want her to go anywhere! It would be a disaster if she were replaced by some sort of identikit, backbench Labour drone.
“As a result, I've been quite supportive of seeing her continue because it shines a light on the reality of our politics today.
Reform media ban in Nottinghamshire is a disturbing glimpse of a future with Farage in power
08:01 , Tom Watling
Reform local media ban is a glimpse of what may happen with Farage in power
Can Blair’s ‘smooth operator’ help Starmer stem the rise of Nigel Farage?
07:52 , Tom WatlingSir Keir Starmer’s mini reshuffle - dubbed by the PM as the beginning of the “second phase” of his premiership - saw Tim Allan, a former Tony Blair staffer, enter Downing Street.
Below, columnist Anne McElvoy takes a look at how Mr Allan could be used to tackle the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform.
Can Blair’s ‘smooth operator’ help Starmer stem the rise of Nigel Farage?
Rayner consulted three people about house purchase, report says
07:48 , Tom WatlingDeputy prime minister Angela Rayner consulted three people about the purchase of her £800,000 flat in Hove, it has been reported.
The purchase led to her being accused of failing to pay the required stamp duty tax by not paying the higher rate reserved for additional home purchases. She has since said she was given bad advice.
The BBC reports that she initially consulted an individual experienced in conveyancing and two experts on the law around trusts, prior to the purchase.
Minister refuses to say if Rayner should quit over stamp duty row
07:25 , Tom BarnesBridget Phillipson has declined to say whether Angela Rayner should resign if she had been found to have breached ministerial standards.
Asked whether Ms Rayner should resign if the Prime Minister’s standards adviser found she had broken the rules, the Education Secretary told Times Radio: “I appreciate the answer I’m about to give will be frustrating, but there is a process, I’m not going to pre-judge it.
“It is right now that the independent adviser does his work and provides that outcome.”
Tories call for HMRC to open investigation into Angela Rayner over stamp duty
07:01 , Rebecca WhittakerThe taxman must launch an investigation into whether Angela Rayner has evaded tax after she admitted an underpayment of stamp duty on a seaside flat, the Conservatives have said.
Deputy Prime Minister Ms Rayner’s explanation that she was given inaccurate legal advice “cannot withstand scrutiny”, Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said in a letter to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) calling for the tax authority to open a tax evasion investigation.
The letter said: “I am requesting that HMRC undertake a full investigation into this matter and consider the application of a penalty for tax evasion.
“I note that HMRC guidance on this issue recommends a penalty based on Potential Lost Revenue, of 30% of the revenue for an ‘careless’ inaccuracy (which would be £12,000), to 100% (£40,000) for a deliberate inaccuracy.
“You may wish to obtain a copy of the ‘advice’ that she claims to have had, inspect her multiple title deeds on the Land Registry, and obtain a copy of the declaration of trust from 2023. Was this ‘advice’ actually from a tax lawyer or chartered tax adviser?”
Watch: Angela Rayner admits to not paying enough tax
06:00 , Rebecca Whittaker'Stamp duty is a confusing mess', tax expert says
05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerStamp duty is a “confusing mess” according to one tax expert, after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner disclosed she had underpaid the tax on a seaside flat.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax paid by the buyer of a UK residential property when the purchase price exceeds £125,000.
Posting on X, Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, said that in situations where people are buying a house and “everything is simple, you can ask your conveyancer how much stamp duty to pay”.
But he said that in complex situations “this is a very bad idea”.
Mr Neidle added: “The bigger point: stamp duty is a confusing mess. The tax shouldn’t exist. The second home surcharge is daft.
“Why are we taxing someone who buys two £500k homes £55k (£15k + £40k), But someone who buys one £1m home £43k? Where’s the logic?”
Reform media ban in Nottinghamshire is a disturbing glimpse of a future with Farage in power
04:00 , Rebecca WhittakerReform local media ban is a glimpse of what may happen with Farage in power
Recap: What has Angela Rayner said about the underpayment of stamp duty on her flat in Hove?
03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerAngela Rayner admitted an underpayment of stamp duty on a seaside flat in Hove.
On Wednesday said she had taken legal advice when she bought the south coast flat, which suggested she was “liable to pay standard stamp duty”, but had then sought “further advice from a leading tax counsel” after headlines about the arrangement.
She learned that the initial advice had been inaccurate and she was liable to pay additional stamp duty.
That is because she had put her stake in her constituency home in Ashton into a trust set up in 2020 for her disabled son.
Tax experts said the Hove property could not be treated as her only residence because of the nature of the trust.
Watch: Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits economy 'isn't working well enough'
02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDowning Street did not disclose if Rayner would be sacked
01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerDowning Street insisted Sir Keir had full confidence in Angela Rayner, but declined to say whether he would sack her if she was found to have breached ministerial standards.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “As you’d expect, we’re not going to get ahead of the process.
“As she’s set out in her statement today, she’s referred herself to the independent adviser. She will provide him with her fullest co-operation and access to all the information he requires.
“It is now up to the independent adviser to conduct that process.”
No 10 refused to say when the Prime Minister was informed about his deputy’s tax underpayment or whether he had seen the legal advice she had received.
Sir Keir believes Ms Rayner should “pay what is due”, his spokesman said.
Watch: Congressman Hank Johnson accuses Nigel Farage of 'carrying water for Elon Musk'
Thursday 4 September 2025 00:00 , Rebecca WhittakerKevin Hollinrake wrote a letter to HMRC calling for Rayner to be investigated
Wednesday 3 September 2025 23:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake called for HMRC to open an investigation into Angela Rayner.
The letter, which has been shared with Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Minister’s independent ethics adviser, added: “I am requesting that HMRC undertake a full investigation into this matter and consider the application of a penalty for tax evasion.
“I note that HMRC guidance on this issue recommends a penalty based on Potential Lost Revenue, of 30% of the revenue for an ‘careless’ inaccuracy (which would be £12,000), to 100% (£40,000) for a deliberate inaccuracy.
“You may wish to obtain a copy of the ‘advice’ that she claims to have had, inspect her multiple title deeds on the Land Registry, and obtain a copy of the declaration of trust from 2023. Was this ‘advice’ actually from a tax lawyer or chartered tax adviser?”
Tories call for HMRC to open investigation into Angela Rayner over stamp duty
Wednesday 3 September 2025 22:29 , Rebecca WhittakerThe taxman must launch an investigation into whether Angela Rayner has evaded tax after she admitted an underpayment of stamp duty on a seaside flat, the Conservatives have said.
Deputy Prime Minister Ms Rayner’s explanation that she was given inaccurate legal advice “cannot withstand scrutiny”, Tory party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said in a letter to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) calling for the tax authority to open a tax evasion investigation.
The Conservatives called for the probe after Sir Keir Starmer backed his deputy at Prime Minister’s Questions, and insisted he was “very proud to sit alongside” her.
Angela Rayner is a 'hypocrite' Reform UK deputy leader claims
Wednesday 3 September 2025 22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerReform UK deputy leader Richard Tice called Angela Rayner a “hypocrite” over her stamp duty error.
He told Sky News: “She was so vocal in attacking opposing politicians when she was in opposition that she can’t stand up and say ‘I’m the biggest hypocrite in the land’. She has to offer her resignation to the Prime Minister.”
Who could replace Angela Rayner if she resigns over stamp duty row?
Wednesday 3 September 2025 21:40 , Rebecca Whittaker
Property expert calls 2nd home surcharge 'a vicious little tax'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 21:21 , Rebecca WhittakerProperty expert and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp posted on X: “I’ve always wanted everyone to understand that the so called 2nd home surcharge is a vicious little tax which catches people at the some of the most difficult stages of their life (sic).
“If Angela Rayner didn’t understand how it worked then how are the rest of us supposed to?”
Rayner is 'being treated very differently' because she was from a working class background, Science Secretary says
Wednesday 3 September 2025 21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerScience Secretary Peter Kyle told LBC that Ms Rayner was “being treated very differently” because she was from a working class background.
He added: “Just because it is Angela, with her accent and her background, people are treating her in a way they wouldn’t, that if a Tory MP who was born in wealth had a second home, which many of them do already.”
What is stamp duty and what has Angela Rayner said about her flat purchase?
Wednesday 3 September 2025 20:40 , Rebecca WhittakerStamp duty is a “confusing mess” according to one tax expert, after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner disclosed she had underpaid the tax on a seaside flat.
Posting on X, Dan Neidle, founder of Tax Policy Associates, said that in situations where people are buying a house and “everything is simple, you can ask your conveyancer how much stamp duty to pay”.
But he said that in complex situations “this is a very bad idea”.
Mr Neidle added: “The bigger point: stamp duty is a confusing mess. The tax shouldn’t exist. The second home surcharge is daft.
“Why are we taxing someone who buys two £500k homes £55k (£15k + £40k), But someone who buys one £1m home £43k? Where’s the logic?”
The bigger point: stamp duty is a confusing mess. The tax shouldn't exist. The second home surcharge is daft.
— Dan Neidle (@DanNeidle) September 3, 2025
Why are we taxing someone who buys two £500k homes £55k (£15k + £40k),
But someone who buys one £1m home £43k?
Where's the logic?
Recap: Hard to see how Angela Rayner survives as Deputy Prime Minister, says political editor David Maddox
Wednesday 3 September 2025 20:20 , Rebecca WhittakerDavid Maddox has said it is hard to see how Angela Rayner survives as Deputy Prime Minister following her admission she did not pay the correct stamp duty on her Hove flat.
With her admission that she did not pay her tax properly Angela Rayner appears to have put herself on the fast-track to the exit door of government.
Ironically, Ms Rayner had been having a raging row behind the scenes that Keir Starmer had not fulfilled a promise to give her a proper Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with staffing and just handed her an empty title instead.
Now it seems highly unlikely that she will hold on to that DPM title even let alone her Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The old adage was that sex scandals did for Tories and money ones ended Labour careers.
There is no sympathy within Labour for tax dodgers whether that is businessmen or others but they’d not want someone leading their government who has tried to avoid paying what is due for public services.
The last scandal involved former transport secretary Louise Haigh over issues about claiming to have lost phones at work when they had not been stolen as she claimed. Haigh survived a day before being forced to quit and is now rebuilding her career.
For Rayner the stakes were higher because many thought there was a strong chance she would replace Starmer as PM. Not now though.
Sir Keir has little patience for those who break the rules and it will be hard to see him sticking by his DPM.
Reform media ban in Nottinghamshire is a disturbing glimpse of a future with Farage in power
Wednesday 3 September 2025 20:00 , Rebecca WhittakerReform local media ban is a glimpse of what may happen with Farage in power
Recap: Nigel Farage Meets US Congress Over UK Free Speech
Wednesday 3 September 2025 19:40 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage has now left the Capitol Hill and the meeting on free speech in the UK is in recess.
As the Reform leader left he did not disclose whether he would meet Donald Trump later on Wednesday, after the judiciary committee chair noted that the Reform UK leader would have to leave the hearing early.
“I’m being very polite and I am not going to tell you what I am doing this afternoon,” Farage said.
Here are some of the topic the Reform leader covered:
- During the meeting Farage told US lawmakers the Online Safety Act is a danger to trade between the two countries and rejected that he has called for trade sanctions if US tech companies are not allowed to violate UK laws.
- Farage raised the arrest of Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan for his comments on social media about trans people, and the jailing of Lucy Connolly for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers in the aftermath of the Southport murders last year.
- He was accused by Congressman Hank Johnson of trying to “impress the tech bros” in order to secure money to fund his party.
- Farage denied suggesting that the US potentially impose trade sanctions on countries over freedom of speech.
- He was dubbed a "Putin loving free speech imposter and Trump sycophant" by US representative Jamie Raskin.
- Farage was also challenged by US representative Jamie Raskin about his commitment to free speech, after the Reform UK leader suggested pro-Gaza protests were not appropriate on Remembrance Day.
Watch: Congressman Hank Johnson accuses Nigel Farage of 'carrying water for Elon Musk'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 19:15 , Rebecca WhittakerCentre for Countering Digital Hate calls Farage’s comparison of the UK to North Korea 'dispiriting'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerBritish-American non-profit group the Centre for Countering Digital Hate said Mr Farage’s comparison of the UK to North Korea was “incredibly dispiriting”.
The centre’s chief executive Imran Ahmed told the PA news agency the MP had made the “silly and hyperbolic claim” because the UK chose to “protect children online” and place a duty of care on tech firms with the Online Safety Act.
It comes after Farage spoke of Irish writer Linehan arrest for comments on social media about transgender people.
Mr Farage said: “At what point did we become North Korea? Well, I think the Irish comedy writer found that out two days ago at Heathrow Airport.”
Watch: Angela Rayner admits to not paying enough tax
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:45 , Rebecca WhittakerFarage branded ‘Putin-loving free speech imposter and Trump sycophant’ in savage takedown by US Congressman
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Farage branded ‘free speech imposter and Trump sycophant’ in takedown by Congressman
Starmer says Farage is "no patriot" for skipping UK parliament for US hearing
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:15 , Rebecca WhittakerUK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled Nigel Farage as “unpatriotic” for not representing his constituents in parliament on the first day back from the summer recess.
“He’s flown to America, to badmouth and talk down our country,” Starmer said earlier today in parliament.
“He’s gone there to lobby the Americans to impose sanctions on this country, which will harm working people,” he added.
In a post on X today Starmer added that Farage is “calling for economic sanctions against British workers”.
And he stressed “He’s no patriot.”
Nigel Farage is calling for economic sanctions against British workers.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 3, 2025
He’s no patriot. pic.twitter.com/aiDKE3o7PV
Farage kept it secret whether he planned to meet with Trump
Wednesday 3 September 2025 18:00 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage did not disclose whether he would meet Donald Trump later on Wednesday, after the judiciary committee chair noted that the Reform UK leader would have to leave the hearing early.
“I’m being very polite and I am not going to tell you what I am doing this afternoon,” Farage said.
Congressman says Farage’s call to halt a pro-Gaza on Remembrance Day was not "free speech"
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:50 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage was challenged by US representative Jamie Raskin about his commitment to free speech, after the Reform UK leader suggested pro-Gaza protests were not appropriate on Remembrance Day.
The Reform UK leader told the US House Judiciary Committee: “There was one particular day, and it was the Sunday nearest November 11, which was where we had big memorial services in London, and I think a march being allowed to go ahead on that day would have been a mistake.”
The Democrat politician responded that the United States has a written constitution where “freedom of speech applies 365 days a year here”, suggesting Mr Farage’s call to halt a pro-Gaza march in November 2023 meant he was not committed to year-round free speech.
Congressman accused Farage of banning journalists from his events
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:45 , Rebecca WhittakerCongressman Jami Raskin challenged Nigel Farage for “banning journalists” from his events.
He questioned why Reform UK had prevented its councillors in Nottinghamshire from speaking with the local newspaper and its website, the Nottingham Post and Nottinghamshire Live.
“Why do you ban Journalists who oppose your views from coming to your events? Why did you tell the local Government not to do interviews with your local newspaper?” Mr Raskin asked the Reform leader.
Farage claimed he is “the most open person” and “can’t think of ever banning anybody.”
'The Online Safety Act, is a danger to trade between our countries,' Farage said
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:40 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage has told US lawmakers the Online Safety Act is a danger to trade between the two countries and rejected that he has called for trade sanctions if US tech companies are not allowed to violate UK laws.
Georgia congressman Hank Johnson put to Mr Farage, referring to his written statement: “What you’re arguing is that the citizens of Great Britain should pay a tariff if these tech companies are not allowed to violate the laws of Great Britain.”
The Reform UK leader responded: “No, I’m not – that was a falsehood put out by the British Prime Minister today.”
He told the House Judiciary Committee: “What I’ve made perfectly clear in this paper is the situation we’ve got with successive pieces of legislation, including now the Online Safety Act, is a danger to trade between our countries and allies and friends and trading partners, have honest conversations with each other.
“I hope many American companies and politicians have honest conversations from the British government. I’ve not suggested sanctions, at all in any way.”
Rayner fights for political future as she admits: I did not pay enough tax
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:30 , Rebecca WhittakerAngela Rayner is fighting for her political future after finally admitting to have avoiding £40,000 in tax when purchasing a property.
The deputy prime minister has faced mounting calls to resign after revealing she underpaid the amount of stamp duty owed on the purchase of an £800,000 seaside flat in Hove.
Admitting to the error after weeks of speculation, Ms Rayner blamed the error on dodgy legal advice in an emotional statement.
Ms Rayner said she relied on legal advice which turned out to be inaccurate relating to the purchase. “As soon as I knew that that was the case, I have alerted and referred myself to the independent adviser on the ministerial code to ensure that they can look transparently at what has happened, and also contacted HMRC to say that, there is additional tax owing on this,” she told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast.
Rayner fights for political future as she admits: I did not pay enough tax
Watch: Congressman attacks Nigel Farage at committee on free speech
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:15 , Rebecca WhittakerUS Congressman says Farage is just trying to 'impress the tech bros'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 17:00 , Rebecca WhittakerA US Congressman has accused Nigel Farage of trying to “impress the tech bros” in order to secure money to fund his party.
The Reform party leader spoke today a House Judiciary Committee hearing on European threats to American free speech and innovation, on Capitol Hill.
But in a discussion with Congressman Hank Johnson Farage was accused of “carrying water” for Elon Musk — the world's richest man.
“As a fringe party leader seeking to run for prime minister of Great Britain, what you need is a lot of money in order to blow up like the MAGA movement,” Mr Johnson said.
Responding Farage disagreed and said: “What you need is a message of truth and a message of hope. Money is helpful but it is not the primary thing you need.
“You need money from Elon Musk in order to get elected as prime minister of the UK,” Mr Johnson said.
“You’ve never stopped trying to ingratiate yourself with Elon Musk,” he added.
“You are here today to impress all of those tech bros including Elon Musk.”
US tech chiefs could face arrest when entering the UK, Farage claims
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:45 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage claimed US tech chiefs could face arrest when entering the UK as he criticised the treatment by police of Graham Linehan.
Speaking of the Irish writer’s arrest, the Reform UK leader told the US House Judiciary Committee: “He put out some tweets months ago when he was in Arizona, and months later he arrives at Heathrow Airport to be met by five armed police.
“This could happen to any American man or woman that goes to Heathrow that has said things online that the British Government and British police don’t like.
“It is a potentially big threat to tech bosses, to many, many others.”
He added: “At what point did we become North Korea? Well, I think the Irish comedy writer found that out two days ago at Heathrow Airport.”
Mr Farage warned that the Online Safety Act “will damage trade between our countries, threaten free speech across the West because of the knock-on rollout effects of this legislation from us or from the European Union”.
Farage says UK has 'sunk into' an 'awful authoritarian situation'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:30 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage said he wanted to bring Lucy Connolly to Washington DC as “living proof of what can go wrong” with free speech.
The Reform UK leader, in his evidence to the US House Judiciary Committee, raised the arrest of Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan for his comments on social media about trans people, and the jailing of Connolly for stirring up racial hatred against asylum seekers in the aftermath of the Southport murders last year.
“It doesn’t give me any great joy to be sitting in America and describing the really awful authoritarian situation that we have now sunk into,” Mr Farage said.
Of Connolly’s social media post that lead to her guilty plea and imprisonment, he said: “It was intemperate, it was wrong, but she removed it three-and-a-half hours later. Sentenced to 31 months in prison. She’s now out, having served 40 per cent of the time.
“I wanted to bring her with me today as living proof of what can go wrong.
“Sadly, the restrictions that have been put on her banned her from making the trip, which is a very, very great shame.”
Nigel Farage said US representative Jamie Raskin’s testimony was 'delightful'
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:10 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage said US representative Jamie Raskin’s testimony was “delightful” after the Congressman branded him a “Putin-loving free speech impostor and Trump sycophant,” adding: “You can say what you like, I don’t care.”
Giving evidence to the House Judiciary Committee in Capitol Hill, the Reform UK leader said: “I’m delighted to be acquainted with the charming Mr Raskin – delightful testimony you gave me earlier on with your speech.
“But hey, that’s fine. You can say what you like, I don’t care, because that’s what free speech is.
“In a sense, this has all been going wrong now for a couple of decades.”
Farage denies US is imposing trade sanctions on countries over freedom of speech
Wednesday 3 September 2025 16:00 , Rebecca WhittakerNigel Farage has denied suggesting that the US potentially impose trade sanctions on countries over freedom of speech.
“I have not suggested that for one moment. That is the interpretation of the Prime Minister, who is very much on the back foot,” he told Sky News ahead of giving evidence on freedom of speech to the US House Judiciary Committee in Washington DC.
Pressed on what he did say, the Reform UK leader said: “I’ve said that I hope that American political parties, leaders and businesses have a frank conversation with the British Government and say, ‘if you don’t sort this out, it’s going to have serious trade implications for both of us’.”
Asked if there was “hypocrisy” in him speaking on the topic in the US amid a crackdown on free speech in that country, he said: “Even more reason for me to be here to say, look, we’ve gone way down this path. Be vigilant in this country.”
He added: “I’m not saying Trump’s gone a bit far. I’m here to talk about what’s happening in the United Kingdom.”
Farage slammed as 'Putin loving free speech imposter and Trump sycophant' in savage takedown by US Congressman
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:50 , Millie Cooke Political CorrespondentNigel 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 even sat down to speak.
The attack came as Mr Farage prepared to give evidence on freedom of speech to the US House Judiciary Committee in Washington DC.But before he began, Congressman Jamie Raskin launched into a humiliating take down of the Reform politician.
“To the people of the UK who think this Putin loving free speech imposter and Trump sycophant will protect freedom in your country, come on over to America and see what Trump and MAGA are doing to destroy our freedom, to kidnap college students off the street, to ban books from our libraries, militarise our police and unleash them against our communities, take over our universities, wreck our professional civil service and turn the government into a money making machine for Trump and his family", the Democrat said.
"You might think twice before you let Mr Farage make Britain great again."
Rayner 'should not be setting the rules when she fails to keep them herself,' MP says
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:45 , Rebecca WhittakerDeputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has received calls for her to be sacked following her admission she did not pay the correct stamp duty on her flat.
Mel Stride Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and MP for Central Devon, has said she should not “be setting the rules”.
In a post on X he wrote: “It’s utterly extraordinary that while working families and businesses are being hammered by Labour's tax hikes, Angela Rayner has failed to pay the right amount of stamp duty. “
However, others have said she should not be pushed out, with former Tory MP Miriam Cates highlighting Rayner has “complex living arrangements” due to her son’s disability, and “should not be hounded out of office”.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also said he believed Angela Rayner’s property decisions were guided by her disabled child’s interests.
It’s utterly extraordinary that while working families and businesses are being hammered by Labour's tax hikes, Angela Rayner has failed to pay the right amount of stamp duty.
— Mel Stride (@MelJStride) September 3, 2025
The Deputy Prime Minister should not be setting the rules when she fails to keep them herself. pic.twitter.com/ZEmDA9Kd1a
Pictured: Nigel Farage Meets US Congress Over UK Free Speech
Wednesday 3 September 2025 15:40 , Rebecca Whittaker
