The Reform UK leader has launched a scathing attack on the Prime Minister telling US Congress that the arrest of Father Ted creator over free speech is a “warning to US travellers.”
Farage said that Linehan was in the US when he sent the social media post, he was arrested when flying into Heathrow Airport, he then pointed out that he is not even British he is an “Irish citizen.”
Farage warned Congress, “He put out some tweets months ago when he was in Arizona, and months later, he arrives at Heathrow Airport to be met by five armed police.
“Armed Police, not a big deal in the USA, a very big deal in the United Kingdom, five of them, and he was arrested and taken away for questioning.
“He’s not even a British citizen. He’s an Irish citizen. This could happen to any American man or woman that goes to Heathrow that has said things online that the British government and British police don’t like.”
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The Reform UK leader said that Great Britain has become an “awful authoritarian” state, he asked, “At what point did we become North Korea?”
Farage is on the world stage in Washington and he is testifying before Congress raising grave concerns over British government’s restrictions on the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression.
People who send a post on social media which is frowned upon by the twitter police will arrest you and throw you in to cell, even though the UK is a so-called democratic country.
Farage appeared before the House Judiciary Committee who are looking into how British and European laws are affecting US tech giants.
Farage also mentioned the case of Lucy Connelly who was jailed over a social media post in the wake of the brutal and tragic Southport murders.
The Reform UK leader accused Sir Keir Starmer of holding Connolly as a “political prisoner.”
Farage said that he tried to bring Connolly to the US with him, but due to her conviction the US blocked her travelling to America.
Farage told the committee, “I wanted to bring her with me today as living proof of what can go wrong. Sadly, the restrictions that have been put on her, banned her from making the trip, which is a very, very great shame.”
Republican Jim Jordan chairman of the House of judiciary committee accused London and Brussels of trying to “shake down” US tech firms with “censorship laws.”
Farage denied the suggestion that the US place trade sanctions on countries that do not support free speech.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday Starmer accused Farage of flying to “America to badmouth and talk down our country,” suggesting the US could impose sanctions on the UK, he blasted, “you cannot get more unpatriotic than that, it’s a disgrace.”
When asked about the US imposing trade sanctions on the UK, Farage told Sky News, “I have not suggested that for one moment. That is the interpretation of the Prime Minister, who is very much on the back foot.”
Asked what he did say, Farage said, “I’ve said that I hope that American political parties, leaders and businesses have a frank conversation with the British Government and say, ‘if you don’t sort this out, it’s going to have serious trade implications for both of us’.”
When asked if there is “hypocrisy” by speaking to Congress over free speech Farage said, “Even more reason for me to be here to say, look, we’ve gone way down this path. Be vigilant in this country.”
He added: “I’m not saying Trump’s gone a bit far. I’m here to talk about what’s happening in the United Kingdom.”
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