The Prime Minister made a jibe at the Reform UK leader despite facing criticism himself he’s spending too much time abroad.
Nigel Farage had a furious showdown with Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions this lunchtime, as the pair traded barbs over Donald Trump and national security.
Asking his second PMQs question since the General Election, the Reform UK leader invited MPs to welcome Donald’s Trump’s landslide election victory last week, something they failed to do.
He continued: “Within a couple of days we learned of a third assassination attempt, charges have been laid, and behind it are Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).”
“Has the time not come, Prime Minister, to proscribe what is so obviously a terrorist organisation?
“And in doing so, not just do the right thing, but maybe mend some fences between this Government and the incoming presidency of Donald Trump’s, given that the whole Cabinet has been so rude about him over the last few years.”
Mr Farage had the good grace to laugh at Sir Keir’s joke (Image: Parliament Live)
Instead of doing so, Sir Keir replied with a joke attacking Mr Farage for his recent visits to the United States.
The PM said: “I’m glad to see (Mr Farage) making a rare appearance back here in Britain, he spends so much time in America recently, I was half expecting to see him on the immigration statistics!”
While Mr Farage appeared to laugh along at the jibe, he was later seen rolling his eyes after Sir Keir said of the proscription demand he will “keep them under review”.
In January 2023, Labour called on the then-Tory government to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, however since coming to power have appeared sluggish in following through on this demand themselves.
At the time, David Lammy and Yvette Cooper said: “The Iranian Regime’s actions against courageous protestors seeking a better future, as well as British nationals imprisoned in Iran and its threats to UK security mean robust action is needed now.”
He later rolled his eyes when the PM dodged answering his question (Image: Parliament Live)
“The IRGC is behaving like a terrorist organisation and must now be proscribed as such. Labour supports proscribing the IRGC either through the existing process, or through amending the national security bill to create a new process of proscription for hostile state actors.
“Labour will always take the actions necessary to keep the British public safe.”
However since coming to power it’s now been reported that Yvette Cooper is “leaning away” from proscribing the group, despite both the US and Canada doing so.
Politico reported government insiders who said Labour ministers fear that doing so would lead to a mutual expulsion of British diplomats from Tehran and derail diplomatic relations with the rogue middle eastern actor.
