A Labour minister has refused to apologise to Nigel Farage after accusing him of being on the side of “people like Jimmy Savile”. Peter Kyle made the controversial claim over Reform UK’s pledge to scrap the Online Safety Act, which the party warns threatens freedom of speech and open debate.
But it prompted a furious row with the Reform leader demanding an apology. When asked about Mr Farage’s call for him to say sorry, the Technology Secretary told LBC: “Nigel Farage wants to overturn that law and he wants me to apologise?
“Well, I think he owes the country one simple explanation.
“If he’s going to overturn the law that prevents that from happening, what is he going to replace it with?
“I have insisted that law enforcement and regulators keep our children safe. What is he going to do in specific terms? And until he can do that, he should be apologising morning, noon, and night to every child and every parent in our country.”
A row broke out last month after Mr Kyle said the Reform UK leader is on the side of “people like Jimmy Savile” over the party’s vow to scrap the Online Safety Act.
The Cabinet minister said: “I see that Nigel Farage is already saying that he’s going to overturn these laws.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Image: GETTY)
“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.”
Responding to Mr Kyle, the Clacton MP said: “Just how low can the Labour Government sink in its desperation?
“Yes, of course they’re in trouble. They’re well behind us in the opinion polls. But frankly, to say that I would do anything that would in any way aid and abet people like Jimmy Savile, it’s so below the belt it’s almost not true.”
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.
Most Popular Comments
1st Most liked comment • 18 hours ago51
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2nd Most liked comment • 18 hours ago36
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