NIGEL Farage was left humiliated last night as Irish journalist Claire Byrne ripped up his “lecture” on Ireland’s culture and history.
The former Brexit Party chief and GB News presenter appeared on Byrne’s RTE programme to claim that people in Ireland would be seeking to leave the EU in the coming years.
“Why don’t you ask yourselves in Dublin the question – why did you fight the British? Why did Irish nationalists fight the British for 500 years? Five-hundred often very bloody difficult years until the 1920s. What was the point of it if you’re now governed by European commissioners?”
The Claire Byrne Live presenter told the former MEP that her viewers would be entertained to hear him talking about this issue.
“That’s a debate perhaps … that may be too inconvenient for all of you in Dublin, I’m sure, of course,” Farage said while talking over her.
The Brexiteer’s appearance on RTE came just days after he was forced to apologise for filming himself saying the pro-IRA slogan “up the RA”.
Farage was paid by someone on Cameo to use the phrase, which he claimed not to have known the meaning of. “If I saw ‘up the RA’ I would have looked at that as something very innocent, and wouldn’t have even known there was an implication to it,” he insisted.
Byrne took the opportunity to show viewers the clip of Farage saying “up the RA” once again.
READ MORE: Andrew Neil dubs GB News 'Ukip TV' as most investors 'love' Nigel Farage
“Look, I know that you apologised for the birthday greeting that you delivered in the last couple of days, but I want people to see just how much you know about the history and culture on this island," she explained.
After the clip aired, there was an awkward, cringeworthy silence from the former Ukip chief as he stared into the camera.
“I know that you said sorry, I know you get £87, it’s entirely within your rights to do that … but come on. Don’t try and lecture the Irish people about the culture and history and precarious nature of peace on this island. You haven’t got a clue.”
READ MORE: Acorn Project: UK Government snubs Scottish carbon capture project
In response, Farage could only insist that if Ireland is really an independent country then its involvement with the EU would need to be debated in the next few years. However most people, we’re sure, were just watching the humiliated look on his face and not really listening.
Given around 84% of adults in Ireland support their country being part of the EU, they most likely weren’t listening to begin with.
If only British journalists had given Farage such a hard time when they were giving him constant airtime in recent years …
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel