Science Secretary Peter Kyle refuses to apologise after claiming Reform UK leader is “on the side” of predators for opposing child protection legislation
Nigel Farage has hit back at Science Minister Peter Kyle, saying he was “absolutely disgusted” by the claim that the Reform UK leader is “on the side” of predators like Jimmy Savile.
The Labour MP doubled down on his controversial comments and refused to apologise, insisting that as the Reform UK leader wants to overturn the Online Safety Act, he is seeking to change “laws that keep children safe in our country.”
The explosive row erupted as Reform UK — currently leading in opinion polls — vowed to scrap the UK’s Online Safety Act if elected, describing the legislation as an attempt at “censorship” and an “attack on free speech.
Minister’s Controversial Claims
Speaking on Sky News this morning, Kyle said Farage is on the side of “extreme pornographers peddling hate and peddling violence.
I see that Nigel Farage is already saying that he’s going to overturn these laws. So we have people out there who are extreme pornographers, peddling hate, peddling violence. Nigel Farage is on their side,” the Technology Secretary stated.
He added: “Make no mistake about it. If people like Jimmy Savile were alive today, he’d be perpetrating his crimes online. And Nigel Farage is saying that he’s on their side, not the side of children.
When Sky presenter Wilfred Frost challenged whether he honestly believed Farage was on Jimmy Savile’s side, Kyle doubled down on his position.
Farage’s Furious Response
In response from the Reform UK headquarters, Farage said: “This is so absolutely disgusting. That is almost beyond belief. Just how low can a Labour Government sink in its desperation? Yes, of course they’re in trouble, they’re well behind us in the opinion polls.”
“But frankly, to say that I would do anything that would in any way aid and abet people like Jimmy Savile is frankly so below the belt,” he added.
The Reform UK leader took to social media platform X, demanding an apology: “Peter Kyle’s comments on Sky News are disgusting. He should do the right thing and apologise.”
However, Kyle refused to back down, responding on X: “If you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. It is as simple as that.”
Online Safety Act Implementation
The controversy comes as the full requirements of the Online Safety Act came into effect on 25 July, requiring “robust” age checks for users to access adult content online. Under the new rules, social media companies and websites must implement strict measures including age verification systems to block under-18s from accessing pornography and other harmful material.
Platforms must now use “highly effective” age assurance tools, which can include credit card checks, photo ID scans, phone or email verification, and facial recognition software. Major platforms including X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Reddit, Discord, and dating apps like Tinder and Grindr have begun implementing age verification measures.
The legislation, which received Royal Assent in October 2023, represents one of the strictest online safety regimes globally. Services that fail to comply face potential fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is higher.
Reform UK’s Opposition
Reform UK announced on Monday they would repeal the entire act if elected, with party chairman Zia Yusuf describing it as a “massive overreach” that risks plunging the United Kingdom into a “borderline dystopian state.
Farage explained: “Over the course of the last 48 hours, we have been putting out criticisms of the Online Safety Act, an Act that has come into being in several stages over the last two years.
“On July 25, the final phase kicked in. Already we are seeing censorship, and as a party, we are deeply worried about the implications for free speech and the future of social media,” he said.
He added: “Of course, remember, it’s all supposed to be about protecting children.”
Political Fallout
The row has sparked widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. Former chief Brexit negotiator Lord David Frost described Kyle’s comments as “shameful”, adding: “What chance do we have of a proper debate about free speech if Labour ministers are going to resort to this?
Reform UK’s former chairman Zia Yusuf said: “That’s one of the most outrageous and disgusting things a politician has said in the political arena that I can remember. And that’s quite a high bar, frankly.”
He added that the comments showed “how deeply unserious” the Government was about child safety, saying: “Talking about Jimmy Savile in that way does nothing other than denigrate the victims of Jimmy Savile.”
Wider Implications
The implementation of the Online Safety Act has already led to significant changes in how UK users access online content. According to VPN provider Proton, there has been a 1,400% surge in VPN signups from UK users since the requirements came into effect, suggesting many are attempting to bypass the new restrictions.
A petition calling for the repeal of the Online Safety Act has gathered over 400,000 signatures and will be scheduled for debate by MPs. Critics argue the scope of the legislation is “far broader and restrictive than is necessary in a free society.”
Speaking to GB News, Kyle maintained his position: “There is no definitive grey areas about this. Either you’re on the side of predators and paedophiles as Nigel Farage is, because he wants them to have more access to our children online. Or you are with the Labour Party, where we are making sure we are holding the tech companies to account, to prevent that kind of access, to keep children safer.
Farage pointed out that the legislation was initially passed by the previous Conservative Government, noting: “It’s not the Labour Government that passed this legislation. It was the previous Conservative Government, which is why you’ve barely heard a squeak out of them.”
The row highlights the deep divisions over balancing online child safety with concerns about free speech and privacy in the digital age.
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Image Credit:
Nigel Farage – Photo by Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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