Nigel Farage is under renewed pressure following a comment made by one of his MPs that appeared to equate supporting LGBT rights with endorsing Hamas. The statement by Danny Kruger, disclosed by The Mirror, drew strong criticism from a Labour MP who described it as unacceptable. Kruger, a former Tory member who switched to Reform UK, caused controversy by suggesting a potential future where the UK aligns with an “LGBT supporting” faction.
The contentious remark was made by Kruger during a Reform UK promotional event streamed on YouTube, where he highlighted aspects he believed had been rejected by the public. In response, Labour’s Peter Swallow raised the issue in the Commons, emphasizing the importance of LGBT rights as integral to British values. Swallow urged fellow MPs to communicate unequivocally with Kruger and Reform about the significance of supporting LGBT rights in alignment with national values.
Expressing his dismay, Swallow, who identifies as a gay man and serves as an MP, condemned Kruger’s comparison of LGBT support with backing Hamas, a terrorist group known for persecuting LGBT individuals. Swallow questioned how Parliament could collectively emphasize the essential nature of upholding LGBT rights in the UK’s value system.
Reform UK was contacted by The Mirror for their input on the matter. Kruger, son of TV personality Prue Leith, cautioned that the UK might witness the rise of a party that is both sympathetic to Hamas and supportive of LGBT rights. He underscored the challenges Reform faces in competing against established political entities like the Liberal Democrats, Labour, and nationalist groups in Wales and Scotland, along with mentioning Corbyn’s influence.
Kruger expressed concern about a potential alliance forming post-election that aligns with Hamas and advocates for LGBT rights, opposing the UK’s stance. He urged individuals, including former Conservatives, to join Reform to prevent this scenario, emphasizing the party as the sole solution to counteract rejected ideologies in the British political landscape.
Reacting to Kruger’s remarks, Polly Billington, Labour MP for East Thanet, criticized his stance as outdated and divisive. She highlighted the negative impact of such rhetoric on the community, particularly targeting LGBT individuals, and called for condemnation from Nigel Farage.