Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended party colleague Malcolm Offord after resurfaced comments about the late George Michael sparked backlash.
Offord, who leads Reform UK in Scotland, made the remarks during a speech at a Burns Night event in 2018. Details of the incident only emerged publicly last week after an eyewitness came forward.
Speaking at the launch of Reform UK’s English local election campaign in Sunderland on 26 March, Farage dismissed calls for stronger consequences, framing the incident as an off-colour joke made in a private, social setting.
“If we’re going to drum people out of public life for telling a joke at a boozy rugby club dinner that’s amongst friends, we’ll finish up with the dullest group of individuals…,” he said, according to the BBC, also taking aim at Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“When you take something as it is, yeah of course, it looks awful,” Farage added, suggesting Offord likely regretted the comment. “This sort of po-faced, purism attitude… frankly, is ridiculous.”
What Was Said?
Eyewitness Ian Lewer described the 2018 speech as an unusual and uncomfortable experience, alleging that Offord attempted to link George Michael’s music to the works of Robert Burns while performing and dancing.
According to Lewer, Offord appeared intoxicated, which contributed to the tone of the event. While the specific joke was not published “in the interests of taste,” Lewer said it caused visible discomfort among attendees.
“I was sitting next to a gay man, and it was clearly an extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for him,” he said.
“I’m not a prude… but there is banter and taking things to that level.”
Offord’s Response
Offord has since apologised for what he described as an “inappropriate joke,” insisting that he does not hold homophobic views.
“I instantly regretted it and recognised that it was totally inappropriate and took responsibility for what I had said,” he said.
“This was a clumsy mistake… I am not homophobic. I am someone who accepts accountability, owns my actions, and makes amends where needed.”
He also confirmed he had made a donation to an LGBTQ+ charity following the incident.
Ongoing Debate
The situation has reignited broader discussions about accountability, free speech and the boundaries of humour in public life — particularly when comments relate to LGBTQ+ individuals.
While Farage’s defence frames the remarks as a private misstep, critics argue that such incidents highlight the importance of respectful language and the impact of public figures’ words, even in informal settings.
Reform UK Row Erupts Over Comments About George Michael
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended party colleague Malcolm Offord after resurfaced comments about the late George Michael sparked backlash.
Offord, who leads Reform UK in Scotland, made the remarks during a speech at a Burns Night event in 2018. Details of the incident only emerged publicly last week after an eyewitness came forward.
Speaking at the launch of Reform UK’s English local election campaign in Sunderland on 26 March, Farage dismissed calls for stronger consequences, framing the incident as an off-colour joke made in a private, social setting.
“If we’re going to drum people out of public life for telling a joke at a boozy rugby club dinner that’s amongst friends, we’ll finish up with the dullest group of individuals…,” he said, according to the BBC, also taking aim at Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“When you take something as it is, yeah of course, it looks awful,” Farage added, suggesting Offord likely regretted the comment. “This sort of po-faced, purism attitude… frankly, is ridiculous.”
What Was Said?
Eyewitness Ian Lewer described the 2018 speech as an unusual and uncomfortable experience, alleging that Offord attempted to link George Michael’s music to the works of Robert Burns while performing and dancing.
According to Lewer, Offord appeared intoxicated, which contributed to the tone of the event. While the specific joke was not published “in the interests of taste,” Lewer said it caused visible discomfort among attendees.
“I was sitting next to a gay man, and it was clearly an extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for him,” he said.
“I’m not a prude… but there is banter and taking things to that level.”
Offord’s Response
Offord has since apologised for what he described as an “inappropriate joke,” insisting that he does not hold homophobic views.
“I instantly regretted it and recognised that it was totally inappropriate and took responsibility for what I had said,” he said.
“This was a clumsy mistake… I am not homophobic. I am someone who accepts accountability, owns my actions, and makes amends where needed.”
He also confirmed he had made a donation to an LGBTQ+ charity following the incident.
Ongoing Debate
The situation has reignited broader discussions about accountability, free speech and the boundaries of humour in public life — particularly when comments relate to LGBTQ+ individuals.
While Farage’s defence frames the remarks as a private misstep, critics argue that such incidents highlight the importance of respectful language and the impact of public figures’ words, even in informal settings.
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