Key facts
- Nigel Farage accused of shoving a female Liberal Democrat MP in May.
- Farage cited the incident as a reason for skipping a recent budget speech.
- Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper claimed Farage pushed an MP and a male MP challenged him.
- Reform UK disputed the characterization, calling the accusation "typical Lib Dem dishonesty."
Nigel Farage has been accused of shoving a female Liberal Democrat MP earlier this year, an incident he referenced when explaining his absence from a recent budget speech. The Reform leader stated he skipped John Healey's speech in the House of Commons because his seat reservation had been moved. Farage claimed he was involved in a "physical altercation" on the day of the state opening of parliament in May and wanted to "avoid conflict." It later emerged his seat reservation had been removed by Commons staff for not having a proper date stamp. Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader, stated her understanding was that Farage physically pushed one of their female MPs, leading to a challenge from a male MP. A Reform UK source disputed this, calling the accusation "typical Lib Dem dishonesty."