By Sohaib Shams
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been accused of physically shoving a female Liberal Democrat MP during the state opening of parliament in May, according to the party's deputy leader Daisy Cooper. The allegation emerged after Farage said he missed this week's budget speech in the House of Commons because of a previous altercation over seating.
Farage cites earlier altercation for missing budget
Farage told reporters on Wednesday that he skipped Defence Secretary John Healey's speech due to his seat reservation being moved. He claimed he had been involved in a "physical altercation" with another MP on the day of the state opening in May, so he decided to give the chamber a "wide berth" to "avoid conflict." Commons staff later said his reservation had been removed because it lacked the proper date stamp.
Lib Dem deputy leader describes shoving incident
Cooper told Sky News that her understanding, though she did not witness it, is that Farage "physically shoved one of our female MPs out of the way" and that a male Lib Dem MP then challenged him. She added that Reform UK had faced criticism at its conference for removing female journalists and members from the hall, saying her party would "take no lessons from them on this."
Caroline Voaden believed to be MP involved
The female MP is believed to be Caroline Voaden, who posted on social media: "We both know that's not true Nigel don't we? I'm still waiting for the apology you were required to write to me … Though I won't hold my breath."
Reform UK disputes Lib Dem account
A Reform source told the Telegraph the Lib Dem characterisation was false, saying it was Lib Dem MPs who were aggressive toward Farage and calling it "typical Lib Dem dishonesty." Reform's shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick dismissed the accusations as "pathetic Westminster debates" and said he was not interested in "dignifying the nonsense." Reform has been approached for comment.
