The dispute intensified as Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper stated Farage shoved Voaden before a male colleague intervened. Voaden claimed that House of Commons authorities directed Farage to apologize following an official complaint, though parliamentary officials declined to confirm this. Meanwhile, Reform UK figures accused the Liberal Democrats of outright falsehoods, highlighting video clips showing the two lawmakers exiting the chamber without any evident conflict. Farage separately claimed his seat reservation card was taken prior to the Budget, though officials confirmed it was removed due to lacking a valid date stamp.
Key points
The Liberal Democrats maintain that Nigel Farage physically confronted Caroline Voaden an…: The Liberal Democrats maintain that Nigel Farage physically confronted Caroline Voaden and was instructed by authorities to issue an apology.
Reform UK strongly denies all accusations of a shove and claims unearthed video evidence…: Reform UK strongly denies all accusations of a shove and claims unearthed video evidence contradicts the Liberal Democrats' version of events.
Parliamentary protocol disputes and past chamber altercations formed the core explanation…: Parliamentary protocol disputes and past chamber altercations formed the core explanation for Nigel Farage missing the recent Budget debate.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
A war of words has broken out between Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage over an alleged physical altercation in the House of Commons.
The row was triggered when Farage, explaining why he had not attended Wednesday's Budget, said he had been involved in a "physical altercation" with another MP at the State Opening of Parliament in May and had wanted to avoid a similar incident.
Voaden revealed herself to be the MP Farage had been referring to, writing on social media that she had been left "shocked and bloody angry" by the confrontation.
The Lib Dems have claimed that Farage "attempted to shove" their South Devon MP but a Reform source accused the party of "lying".
The Reform insider added: "The Lib Dems were claiming Nigel shoved her and that she was shaken, the video disproves that clearly."
Footage unearthed by the Daily Telegraph shows the pair leaving the chamber together at the state opening of Parliament but there is no visible evidence of a major altercation.
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