Farage Defends Offord Over 2018 Homophobic Joke Incident
Nigel Farage has publicly defended Malcolm Offord, the Scottish leader of Reform UK, following revelations that Offord told a homophobic joke at a rugby club dinner in 2018, for which he subsequently issued an apology.
Addressing the issue, Farage stated:
"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, looking a bit like, sounding a bit like Keir Starmer."
Farage acknowledged that taken at face value, the joke appeared offensive, saying:
"When you take something as it is, yeah of course, it looks awful."
However, he emphasized the importance of context and expressed understanding that Offord had likely regretted the joke even on the night it was made.
Speaking at the launch of Reform UK's local English election campaign in Sunderland, Farage criticized what he described as a "po-faced, purism attitude" toward remarks made in informal settings, calling it "ridiculous."
Offord's Apology and Context of the Joke
Malcolm Offord apologized soon after the incident and denied being homophobic. The joke resurfaced in public discourse following a report by the Daily Record.
Graham Simpson, a former Scottish Conservative MSP who defected to Reform UK last year, expressed support for Offord.
Conversely, First Minister John Swinney condemned Offord, stating he was "unfit" to participate in Scottish politics.
In a social media statement on Wednesday, Offord explained that the "crude joke" was made after consuming alcohol at the London Scottish rugby club while he was serving as chairman. He said the joke related to the late singer George Michael, who passed away on Christmas Day 2016, as Offord had been drawing connections between Michael's songs and Robert Burns's works.
The joke referenced Fadi Fawaz, Michael's former partner, allegedly placing the singer's cremated remains into a curry, followed by a crude sexual reference.
Offord stated that the joke was intended to be "funny through being edgy and shocking," but acknowledged it made attendees uncomfortable and that he "instantly regretted it." He also noted that he apologized at the time and made a donation to an LGBT rugby club.
Support from Reform Members and Criticism from Political Opponents
Thomas Kerr, a Reform member on Glasgow City Council, commented on the incident in an interview with :
"It was an offensive joke that I found was offensive and so did Malcolm - that's why he apologised eight years ago.
I think it says a lot about a man who made a mistake and apologised straight away, who made amends with the people in that room and our opponents are now drudging up something that happened eight years ago."
"I would much rather have a politician who puts his hands up and apologises when he is in the wrong, than someone who digs their feet in like other party leaders have done before."
When asked if the remarks were homophobic, Kerr replied:
"They were not remarks I'd have used, Malcolm apologised for them."
On Wednesday, John Swinney addressed the matter in the Scottish Parliament, stating:
"He's unfit to be leader of any political party, unfit to be a member of the Scottish Parliament with views and attitudes like that."
"I think we've got to be really careful as a country about where we are heading, and Reform have got no part to play in it if they represent views of intolerance, prejudice and hatred of that type."
Additional Candidate Controversies and Resignations
Meanwhile, Reform UK has faced further challenges as candidate controversies emerged. Linda Holt, who was standing in the Fife North constituency, withdrew her candidacy citing lack of support from the party. Holt had previously attracted criticism for referring to former First Minister Humza Yousaf as a "grandstanding Islamist moron" and claiming he was "not British" in social media posts revealed when Reform's candidates were announced.
Additionally, Stuart Niven, the Dundee City West candidate, was suspended following reports of disqualification as a company director.
Jordan Brown, the party's Aberdeen Central candidate, and Roland Jackson, announced as standing in Mid Fife and Glenrothes, have both withdrawn according to newspaper reports.
Offord commented on these developments:
"The party is disappointed by Linda and Roland's decision to step aside, but we want to record our respect for the commitment they showed in putting themselves forward.
Standing as a candidate is never easy at the best of times, but that challenge is even tougher when you are doing it for a party that has entrenched interests lined up against it. I wish them both well."
