Nigel Farage’s Angry Confrontation with the Times Highlights Fraying Ties to Right-Wing Media

On 18 July 2026, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage confronted the editor of *The Times* after learning the newspaper planned to publish a story about his houses. Farage, who said the piece “endangered his family,” allegedly used an expletive directed at editor Tony Gallagher. A source close to the encounter described it as ending in “a strong confrontation.”

The Guardian

Until recently, Farage’s Reform party enjoyed a “fair-weather” alliance with Rupert Murdoch’s News UK titles. The Sun and *Daily Mail* ran supportive pieces, and the party’s slogan “Britain is broken” appeared on the Sun’s front page. However, questions about Farage’s funding, two byelection defeats, and concerns over his finances have prompted a sharp turn in coverage. The *Times* and *Telegraph* have published critical stories, while the *Mail* paired a positive interview with an editorial noting Reform’s waning fortunes. Reform insiders acknowledge that the right-wing press is now “more fluid” than a year ago, and Farage’s recent appeal to the Leveson inquiry has further alienated media leaders.

The Guardian

A *Times* spokesperson said: “We stand by our journalism, and do not accept that the published photograph identified the location of any property or presented a security risk.” Farage has warned that the story threatens his family’s safety and has hinted at possible legal action. A senior News UK figure reportedly reached out to arrange a meeting with Farage following the dispute.

The Guardian

Commentators within News UK described Farage’s tactics as “straight out of Trump world,” accusing him of “demonising the messenger, rallying the base, [and] undermining the MSM.” Trevor Kavanagh, the Sun’s veteran political commentator, wrote that the episode marks “the sudden death of a political movement which began as the UK Independence party, morphed into the Brexit party, and now Reform.” Media scholar Des Freedman noted that the earlier “honeymoon” between Reform and the right-leaning press has become “much more fluid now.”

The Guardian

• “We are witnessing the sudden death of a political movement which began as the UK Independence party, morphed into the Brexit party, and now Reform,” — Trevor Kavanagh, Sun political commentator

The Guardian

• “It’s straight out of Trump world,” — senior editor, News UK

The Guardian

• “Demonise the messenger, rally the base, undermine the MSM.” — senior editor, News UK

The Guardian

• “The rightwing press is always a fair-weather friend.” — Reform insider

The Guardian

• “They’re obsessed by Farage, but there’s much more criticism that they’re willing to make because they see him as not quite a reliable ally.” — source close to the *Times*

The Guardian

• “the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform” — Nigel Farage, speaking to the *Daily Express*

The Guardian