Nigel Farage has "tarnished" the image of Reform UK just days away from the General Election, it has been claimed.
The leader of Reform was forced to hit back at critics in a recent press conference, following remarks he made about the Russian war in Ukraine.
In an interview with BBC Panorama, Farage claimed that the EU and Nato had given Putin a reason to tell the Russian people "they're coming for us again".
Launching an attack on the critics and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Farage affirmed he "would never, ever defend Putin".
Nigel Farage has defended his comments about Putin and the Ukraine war, claiming he would 'never defend Putin'
PA
Farage raged: "I think his behaviour in Ukraine and elsewhere has been reprehensible. None of this justifies what he's done."
Discussing Reform's chances at the upcoming election this week, senior Political Commentator Nigel Nelson said Farage had "caused damage" with the remarks.
Nelson told GB News: "I think Reform have done themselves quite a bit of damage with two things that have happened.
"One is Nigel Farage talking about Nato provoking the war in Ukraine. I think I know what he was trying to say, but that was actually a bit clumsy."
Farage called out Boris Johnson for his comments made about Ukraine in 2016 during a Reform UK press conference
PA
Nelson then accused Farage of "putting off voters" with the comments about Ukraine and Nato.
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Noting the recent Channel 4 News investigation, which exposed a party canvasser expressing racist and Islamophobic remarks, Nelson said it has contributed to a "tarnished image" for Reform going into the polls on July 4.
Nelson told host Martin Daubney: "It has put some voters off. Also, the allegations of racism within his party - image is everything during elections, and the image has become a bit tarnished for Reform."
Sharing his thoughts on how well he believes Reform will do in the election, Nelson admitted that they "won't make any major inroads" at the ballot box.
He added: "I don't think they're going to make the major inroads they were hoping for. One poll gave them the possibility of 18 MPs, and I just don't see that happening."
Nigel Nelson says Farage has 'tarnished' the Reform UK image ahead of the General Election
GB News
For the main parties going into the election, Nelson claimed that their leaders will be aiming for "damage limitation", and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is "trying to save as many MPs as he can".
Nelson concluded: "I would think that the Tories should pull in around 150 seats. That's what should happen, but this election really is all over the place. I could be way out on that prediction.
"I'm sure that Tories who are fond of betting on political outcomes won't be betting on this one. This is astonishing. I certainly expected the polls to narrow during the election campaign, and they just haven't.
"Labour has been consistently 20 points ahead, that has not changed. There's been a little bit of an increase in Reform, but this election campaign in my experience is absolutely unique, and I've been this is the 11th one I've been covering."