UK Reform Party Leader Nigel Farage Sparks Controversy
Swans and Carp Comments Targeting Eastern European Immigrants
Pledges to Abolish Permanent Residency and Foreign Welfare if Elected
The leader of a far-right British political party has sparked controversy by claiming that immigrants are catching and eating swans and carp in public parks. According to Yonhap News, Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Reform Party, was asked about a comment made by U.S. President Donald Trump during last year's U.S. presidential election, in which Trump claimed that "Haitian immigrants in Ohio are catching and eating their neighbors' dogs and cats," during an interview with LBC on the 24th (local time).
Farage said, "If I were to say that people from other cultures are eating swans from royal parks and catching carp from ponds, would you agree that this is happening?" When the host asked, "Who do you think is doing this?" he replied, "People from countries where such behavior is tolerated." When pressed to clarify whether he was referring to Romanians and Eastern Europeans, he said, "I think so." However, he added, "I'm not saying it myself; I'm saying that such claims exist."
As the remarks became controversial, the Royal Parks authority refuted the claim, stating, "We have not received any reports of people killing or eating swans in any of the eight parks in London," adding, "Our wildlife officers closely monitor the safety of swans in the parks."
In the UK, intentionally killing or harming wild birds such as swans can result in a prison sentence of up to six months. According to LBC, in 2013, 13 swans were found dead in a London park, but it was believed to have been caused by a dog. In 2003, there were allegations that a criminal organization of asylum seekers had stolen and eaten swans, but police later stated there was no evidence to support these claims.
On the 6th, at the annual meeting of the Reform Party held in Birmingham, UK, a party member is showing a 'MBGA' hat signed by leader Nigel Farage. Photo by AP Yonhap News
Farage is known for his anti-immigration stance and his close relationship with President Trump, earning him the nickname "the British Trump." Under his leadership, the UK Reform Party is currently leading in various opinion polls, surpassing both the ruling Labour Party and the center-right Conservative Party in approval ratings.
On the 22nd, the UK Reform Party announced its immigration policy under the slogan "Britons First," stating that, if it comes to power, it will abolish permanent residency and deny welfare benefits to foreign nationals. Farage argued, "Britain should not become the world's food bank," adding, "It is not our job to provide welfare to people coming from all over the world."
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