Farage defends MP’s remarks as ugly but not racist
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has sought to shield an MP’s controversial comments about television advertising from accusations of deliberate racism, insisting the remarks were ugly but not intended to be racist. The defence comes as the row intensifies over how advertisers portray race and ethnicity in 2020s Britain.
During a press conference tied to other parliamentary concerns, Farage said he understood the basic point behind the remarks but criticised the wording. “The words that Sarah Pochin used in response to a caller on Talk Radio on Saturday morning were without doubt ugly and, taken on their own, could be read to be very, very unpleasant indeed,” he said. “I am unhappy with what she has done. I can’t underestimate that and she fully knows how I feel. However, it was in the broader context of DEI madness in the advertising industry, something which anybody with half a brain can recognise has been going on since about 2021.”
Farage stressed that if he believed the intention behind Pochin’s comments was racist, he would have “taken a lot more action than I have to date.” He added, “I don’t”, signaling that his action would differ from disciplining a colleague if intent were clear.
The remarks by Sarah Pochin, MP for Runcorn and Helsby, were made on TalkTV in response to a viewer who complained about the demographics of advertising. Pochin said: “It drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people.” She later defended the sentiment as reflecting a lack of representation, stating that “your average white person, average white family is … not represented any more.”
Political fallout and calls for accountability
Across the political spectrum, leaders and lawmakers condemned the comments as racist or potentially racist. Prime Minister and opposition leaders pressed for accountability, while health secretary Wes Streeting and the Liberal Democrats joined in criticizing the remarks. Keir Starmer called the remarks a stark reminder of ongoing racial sensitivities in public discourse.
Farage indicated that the episode should not derail broader conversations about advertising and inclusion. He framed the issue as part of a wider critique of DEI “madness” in the industry, urging Parliament to examine how diversity policies are implemented and perceived by the public.
In a parallel push, Farage announced plans to propose an inquiry using Parliament’s “extraordinary powers” to examine the grooming gangs scandal—a separate, long-running issue that has sparked debate about policing, social services, and racial dimensions of crime. He said he would write to the chair of the home affairs select committee, Karen Bradley, to set up a rapid subcommittee aimed at restoring public trust in institutions.
Grooming gangs debate and potential policy shifts
Farage frames the grooming gangs scandal as an issue with a “huge racial and ethnic dimension,” asserting that neglect and inaction have contributed to the problem. He acknowledged the topic’s political sensitivity but argued that a parliamentary inquiry could depoliticise the issue and bring about practical reforms. Critics worry about using the scandal to score political points, while supporters say an independent inquiry is overdue to confront systemic failings.
Ellie-Ann Reynolds, a survivor of grooming crimes, voiced support for Farage’s involvement, saying her choice to speak publicly aims to catalyze change and ensure voices are heard. The discourse surrounding both debates underscores a broader, enduring tension in British public life: balancing urgent social concerns with careful, accurate language to avoid inflaming racial divides.
As these conversations unfold, many observers will watch closely to see whether unions, think tanks, and Parliament can craft policies that address real harms without stoking resentment. The interplay between media representation, policing, and community trust remains a defining challenge of the era.
