An extraordinary exchange on Sky News this morning. Peter Kyle was invited on to discuss the reaction to the implementation of the Online Safety Act, amid concern that it is stifling free speech on the internet. But the Science Secretary opted to hit out at Nigel Farage after his comments at press conference yesterday, by suggesting that the Reform leader was enabling grotesque sexual predators. Kyle told Sky:
I see that Nigel Farage is already saying that he would overturn these laws. So we have people out there who are extreme pornographers, pedalling hate, pedalling violence. Nigel Farage is on their side. Make no mistake about it: if people like Jimmy Savile were alive today, he’d be perpetrating his crimes online, and Nigel Farage is saying that he’s on their side.
An incredulous Wilf Frost asked if the minister was honestly claiming that ‘Nigel Farage is on Jimmy Savile’s side?’ Kyle then opted to ignore the out, choosing instead to double down:
Nigel Farage is on the side of turning the clock back to the time when the strange adults, strangers, can get in touch via messaging apps with children.
Downing Street must be relieved that there is no lobby briefing today…
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