(In the U.K) Nigel Farage Clashes with U.S. Lawmakers Over UK Online Safety Act and Free Speech Fears

 

Nigel Farage testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, warning that the UK’s Online Safety Act poses a major threat to freedom of speech across the West.

He cited examples such as the arrest of comedian Graham Linehan and the jailing of activist Lucy Connolly, claiming Britain risks sliding into authoritarianism.

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The session quickly turned fiery when Democrat Congressman Jamie Raskin blasted Farage as a “Putin-loving, free-speech impostor and Trump sycophant,” sparking heated exchanges between the two.

Farage’s appearance has drawn polarized reactions in Britain. Critics accuse him of hypocrisy, pointing out that his Reform UK party has itself restricted press access in some local councils. Supporters, however, praise his testimony as a bold stand against censorship and government overreach.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the Online Safety Act, insisting it is a vital safeguard designed to protect children from harmful online content, not to stifle free expression.

The debate has intensified both in the UK and internationally, highlighting the global tension between regulating online spaces and upholding freedom of speech.

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