Reform Journalist Ban: Lib Dems call for DCMS committee inquiry as Farage testifies in US on free speech

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee to launch an inquiry into Reform UK banning its councillors in Nottinghamshire from speaking to local media, as Nigel Farage visits the US tomorrow to testify before Congress on free speech.

This comes after the Reform UK leader of Nottinghamshire County Council banned a local newspaper and local democracy reporters from speaking to him or any of his councillors, except for in ‘emergency’ situations.

Liberal Democrat Media, Culture and Sports Spokesperson Max Wilkinson will be writing to the DCMS committee chair to call on Nigel Farage to give evidence to the UK Parliament on why his councillors are being gagged from speaking to the media.

Liberal Democrat Media, Culture and Sports Spokesperson Max Wilkinson MP said:

“It’s barmy that after six weeks away from Parliament, Nigel Farage is skipping the first days of the Autumn term to go jet-setting wearing his MAGA hat and waving his Trump pom-poms.

"Instead of peddling myths to the US Congress about free speech in the UK, he should be giving evidence to our Parliament on why his own party is cracking down on free speech by gagging his Reform colleagues from speaking to the media.”

“He should focus on getting his own house in order before going on tour to badmouth Britain.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

First reported by the Mirror here: www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage-faces-fury-after-35806909

Nigel Farage’s visit to the US reported here: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/farage-slammed-for-skipping-parliament-to-visit-us_uk_68b436dee4b072bf6d64dfac

Details of the Reform UK Leader of Nottinghamshire Council press ban can be found here: www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/aug/28/ban-on-news-outlet-by-nottinghamshire-county-council-reform-leader-a-massive-attack-on-local-democracy