Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has launched a fiery attack on Labour's Lucy Powell, after pledging to crack down on the second jobs MPs hold, particularly in broadcasting.
The GB News presenter, who won his seat in the Essex town of Clacton in this Summer's General Election condemned the move by Labour, accusing Powell of trying to "bully" himself and fellow Reform UK MP and presenter Lee Anderson.
Leader of the House Lucy Powell has set up a new modernisation committee as part of the crackdown, where the members will consider if paid engagements, such as media appearances, are potential "conflicts of interest".
Powell will chair the committee alongside 14 members, nine of which are Labour.
Nigel Farage hit out at calls by Labour's Lucy Powell to crack down on MPs second jobs
GB News
Reacting to the committee on his GB News show, Farage criticised Labour and made clear he and Anderson will not be "bullied" by the current Government to leave his broadcasting role.
Farage fumed: "I’m not a whinger. I’m not a whiner. I'm a very happy, jolly, positive person who's always looking forwards. But excuse me, if you will, I'm going to have a little whinge.
"So there are 26 House of Commons committees, 26 of them. And would you believe that the five Members of Parliament elected for Reform UK, each of whom have 800,000 voters behind them, not one of us, is on the 26 committees. No, we've been gotten rid of.
"And today, Lucy Powell, who is Leader of the House, has set up a new committee, a new modernisation committee. When you hear that word, you should always have a slight shiver down the spine."
Labour's Lucy Powell is to chair a new 'modernisation committee' to target second jobs of MPs, particularly in broadcasting
PA
Defending his GB News position and how his show does not show a "conflict of interest", Farage noted that his show is that of a "debate" nature, and always has guests on his panel who disagree with him.
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Farage raged: "I tell you what they're really going for. They're talking about second jobs, but in particular, what they're talking about is broadcasting. And it says the committee will consider what advantages, if any, outside paid engagement, such as media appearances, journalism and speeches furnished to the public versus potential conflicts of interest.
"Well, folks, I want to tell you this. I don't see any conflict of interest between being an MP and coming here three evenings a week for an hour. And by the way, if there are crucial votes I just won't be here.
"I don't see any conflicts of interest whatsoever. In fact, I might make an argument that's slightly different; that I'm here with a panel of people. Some agree with me, some disagree with me. We have an open debate.
"I'd like to think that through programmes like this, what we actually do is take what's really happening in politics and bring it to a bigger audience. So I think it's complementary."
Nigel Farage said Labour have 'picked on the wrong people'
GB News
Directly calling out Powell, Farage warned the Labour MP is "picking on the wrong people" after targeting himself and fellow GB News presenter and Reform UK colleague Lee Anderson.
Farage concluded: "So all I can say to Lucy Powell is, this really affects Lee Anderson and myself.
"And if you're coming after us and think you can bully us, you've picked on the wrong people. I'm not going anywhere you want to martyr me, please have a go."
