Andrew Neil SLAPS DOWN Liz Kendall as she brands Ukip 'FAR-RIGHT' during a BBC debate
ANDREW Neil was forced to slap down Liz Kendall after the Labour MP branded Ukip a “far-right” party.
Andrew Neil shuts down Kendall for 'UKIP far right' claim
The astonishing comparison was made as the former Labour leader candidate discussed the rise of populism across Europe on the BBC’s This Week.
Veteran broadcaster Neil, asked Ms Kendall if Britain should be “worried” about the surge in support for the likes of the Front National in France.
The Leicester West MP responded: “I don’t underestimate or write off the far-right in this country or across continental Europe.”
Liz Kendall labelled Ukip "far-right" during a debate on the BBC
Ukip, far-right?
Neil instantly picked her up on the statement, as he shot in: “But there is no far-right in this country…”
Ms Kendall quickly added: “I believe that Ukip in many of the things it has said and done and their attitude certainly…”
A bemused Neil, again, slapped Ms Kendall down, as he proclaimed: “far-right… Ukip, far-right? What would that make the BNP?”
Andrew Neil took the Labour MP to task over her astonishing remarks
The Labour politician desperately tried to back up her claim, citing a poster unveiled by the party during the EU referendum showing a queue of migrants with the words “breaking point”.
Ms Kendall continued: “Can I just say, I think that the poster that Farage stood in front of saying ‘Britain was at breaking point’ for me was beyond the pale.
“The question is not that they are there and to be taken seriously, it is what is your response.”
Ms Kendall claimed a poster unveiled by Nigel Farage last year made the party "far-right"
Liz Kendall calling Ukip "far right"
— chris g (@chrisg0000) March 17, 2017
I thought she was one of sensible ones?
Ukip populists, reactionary-to say far right is silly#bbctw
@bbcthisweek so using Liz Kendall example of Ukip as far right, I see the far left, as the same as North Korea, and that's Corbyn, & crew.
— peter jones (@jones1066AD) March 17, 2017
The outrageous comments by the MP sparked fury on social media - who branded the remarks as “silly”.
One user wrote: “Love Liz Kendall 99% of the time but some nonsense spoken last night saying UKIP far-right, they aren’t.”
Another fumed: “UKIP is not and never has been 'far right'. If Liz Kendall really thinks that UKIP posters were beyond the pale, she's a snowflake.”
While a third tweeted: “‘UKIP? Far right?’ responds Andrew Neil to Liz Kendall's statement ‘What about the BNP?’ to which Kendall ignores the question.”