Candidate should apologise for Lammy post - Farage

1 day ago

News image — Nigel Farage answered questions on Chris Parry's comments for the first time

PA Media Nigel Farage standing at a branded Reform party lectern — Nigel Farage answered questions on Chris Parry's comments for the first time

A Reform mayoral candidate who suggested David Lammy should "go home" to the Caribbean should apologise for his remarks, party leader Nigel Farage has said.

Chris Parry, who is set to stand in Hampshire and the Solent in 2028, posted on X in February that the deputy prime minister's "loyalty lies" in the Caribbean.

Lammy, who was born in London to Guyanese parents, previously branded the comments as "1950s style hate".

Speaking at a press conference in central London, Farage said Parry's comments were "over the top".

Reform UK Man with short white hair looking at the camera, he is wearing a striped shirt and black jacket. — Rear Admiral Dr Chris Parry is vying to be the first mayor of Hampshire and the Solent

The Reform leader was asked whether Parry was a good representative of the party in light of his views.

He told reporters: "He also criticised quite strongly many white politicians, called them unpatriotic and suggested they went to live in other countries.

"Look, some of his comments are a bit rich. I get that. He is intensely patriotic. He's risen to the rank of rear admiral, he's given enormous service to this country.

"But I do think his comments on Lammy were over the top, and he should apologise for them."

PA Media David Lammy wearing a suit and blue tie is giving a speech. There are microphones in front of him — David Lammy has reacted to comments about him linked to Reform UK councillors

Anna Turley, chairwoman of the Labour Party, said the Reform leader had "failed to take any action on his mayoral candidate's racist comments".

She also criticised Farage for not apologising to fellow school pupils who accused him of racism when they attended London private school Dulwich College in the 1970s.

Turley said: "Farage needs to finally grow a backbone and apologise to those who have bravely come forward and shared their deeply shocking experiences about his alleged behaviour.

"And then show some leadership on this issue by throwing Chris Parry out of his party.

"The division and decline Farage peddles is not the path Britain needs.

Lammy previously called on Farage to "stamp out this 1950s-style hate" from Reform.

He wrote: "I will never be cowed by racism.

"But I will call it what it is. Nigel Farage, you need to clean up your party and stamp out this 1950s-style hate."

Parry has been contacted for comment.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.