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Nigel Farage has falsely accused Romanians in Britain of eating swans in parks across the country in his latest attack on migrants living in the UK.
The Reform UK leader claimed “swans are being eaten in Royal Parks” and said carp were being taken out of ponds “by people who come from different cultures”.
Asked who he believes are eating Britain’s swans, which are a protected species in the UK, Mr Farage said: “People who come from countries where that’s quite acceptable.”
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Farage’s comments about Romanians eating swans are an echo of the US president’s warning that Haitian migrants were eating Americans’ pets(Jordan Pettitt/PA)
And, asked by LBC’s Nick Ferrari whether eastern Europeans, Romanians and “people like that” were responsible, Mr Farage said: “So I believe.”
The Royal Parks charity quickly rejected Mr Farage’s claim, saying: “We’ve not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans in London’s eight Royal Parks.
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“Our wildlife officers work closely with the Swan Sanctuary to ensure the welfare of the swans across the parks.”
And Fizza Qureshi, chief executive of the Migrants’ Rights Network said Mr Farage is “regurgitating debunked stories” and the comments were “ridiculous, harmful and nothing new”.
She said: “He is regurgitating debunked stories that have resurfaced again and again including way back in 2007 where migrants were accused of stealing swans.
“What Nigel Farage’s comments do show is his willingness to peddle disinformation from unverified social media, and far-right organisations, to deliberately whip up more hatred against migrants.
“After last week’s anti-migrant rally, and with Reform’s recent immigration plans, this is a time where migrants and racialised people are feeling increasingly scared about their safety, making such statements is not only absurd but is utterly dangerous.”
Mr Farage’s comments about Romanians eating swans are an echo of the US president’s warning that Haitian migrants were eating Americans’ pets.
In a presidential debate last year, Mr Trump said: “In Springfield, they are eating the dogs. The people that came in, they are eating the cats. They’re eating – they are eating the pets of the people that live there.”
City authorities stressed that there was no evidence for the claim, with the US National Security Council spokesperson at the time dubbing it a “dangerous conspiracy theory”.
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Farage also refused to condemn Donald Trump’s remarks on drug safety(AP)
Mr Farage launched into his own allegation about swans being eaten in royal parks after being challenged over whether any evidence had been forthcoming for Mr Trump’s claims.
After the exchange, interviewer Mr Ferrari said: “So it’s a similar story? They’re eating our carp, they’re eating our swans?”
Mr Farage said: “I’m not saying that, I’m just putting it back as an argument.”
His comments came as the Reform leader also opened the door to a Donald Trump-style re-evaluation of the safety of paracetamol in the UK.
Asked about the US president linking the drug to autism – claims UK experts have refuted and condemned as “fearmongering” – Mr Farage said “that is an opinion he has… it’s not one that I necessarily share”.
But Mr Farage added that “the science is never settled”. He said: “When it comes to science, I don’t side with anybody, because the science is never settled and we should remember that.”
Critics seized on Mr Farage’s answers during the interview on drug safety, with Wes Streeting saying he has “no idea and no backbone”.
The health secretary said: “This is a man whose health adviser claimed at Reform’s conference that the Covid vaccine gave the royal family cancer.
“Anti-science, anti-reason, anti-NHS.
“Farage is the snake oil salesman of British politics and it’s time to stop buying his rubbish.”
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And Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Helen Morgan said: “Nigel Farage wants to impose Trump’s dangerous anti-science agenda here in the UK. Peddling this kind of nonsense is irresponsible and wrong.
“It seems Farage would rather see pregnant women suffer in pain than stand up to his idol Donald Trump.”