Nigel Farage 'snubs' Newsnight after BBC News clash with 'boring' Ben Thompson
Nigel Farage made a surprise U-turn on Monday (June 30) when he announced he would run as a candidate in the General Election.
Nigel Farage attacks news reporter calling him 'boring'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reportedly turned down an appearance on Newsnight on Monday, June 3. Host Victoria Derbyshire told viewers: "We did ask Nigel Farage for an interview here on Newsnight tonight but he declined."
This came after he had a confrontation with BBC News presenter Ben Thompson when questioned about his decision to run in the forthcoming General Election having previously ruled himself out as a candidate.
Thompson pointed out that Farage had previously failed to be elected. "Call it a pressure group, call it a party, you were a candidate to be an MP on a ballot paper," he pointed out as Mr Farage clapped back: "How many times have you stood? What do you know about it?"
Thompson reiterated his remark saying: "I'm asking you the question....People will say you tried it before." This led Mr Farage to retort: "Ask something intelligent and we'll carry on with the conversation shall we."
However, Thompson refused to let the issue go. "I'm interested in why people should trust you when seven times previously you didn't manage to become an MP," he said.
Mr Farage then made a personal retort to the presenter. "Pass... Pass. No no no no no.. I think you're very very boring.. And I think your viewers will find you very boring.. And you ought to do rather better as the state broadcaster," he said.
Express.co.uk has contacted Nigel Farage for comment.
The clash came shortly after Mr Farage had made the announcement he was stepping down from his show on GB News to run as a candidate in the General Election which takes place on July 4.
Speaking during a press conference in London to announce his candidacy, he shared that he had enjoyed life at GB News and he had been reluctant to make the decision to run.
"I'd be very reluctant to do this. I mean, to be honest, I've been reluctant because I've actually rather enjoyed life at GB News. It has been a great job - best job I've ever had."
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"I've loved being at GB News and doing a show four nights a week and doing extra stuff and travelling around the country and all of those things, so giving that up is not an easy thing," he acknowledged.
Mr Farage's eponymous hour-long GB News show ran every Monday through Thursday at 7pm.
His bombshell speech also saw him reveal he was taking over as the leader of Reform UK, as Richard Tice hands over the baton to take the party into "top gear".
He also confirmed he will be standing for election in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, a seat UKIP previously won.
Mr Farage said he'd reflected on many of his supporters begging him to stand and had changed his mind.
