BBC News halted for a breaking alert as Nigel Farage prepared to give his 2pm statement – but anchor Martine Croxall in the studio had a major disclaimer to deliver to viewers ahead of the briefing. Farage is expected to speak on his “future in public life” after questions were raised about a £5million gift the Reform UK leader received.
Croxall warned viewers ahead of the filmed briefing: “It’s worth saying that these pictures are going to be broadcast by Reform UK direct. So BBC, other broadcasters, we’re not in control of any of this. I don’t believe that any journalists will be there to put any questions, even.”
Correspondent Henry Zeffman had the latest, as he agreed: “It’s an important point – as well as the context of the investigation Nigel Farage is facing, there is also the context of whenever Nigel Farage has faced questions from journalists and from others about the Christopher Harborne gift, and in the past few days his support from George Cottrell, he has made very plain that he does not enjoy the experience of being asked questions about it.
“Also in the last couple of days he’s expressed his extreme displeasure with the manner of which he’s been asked questions about it by journalists seeking to find him in order to ask these questions.”
Farage snapped at a Sky News journalist this week as scrutiny over his finances continues to mount.
