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Farage Defends “Nigerian Scammer” Amid Reform UK Probe

By Drooid · Oct 28, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

Nigel Farage (politician) said the phrase “Nigerian scammer” is not racist and called “scammer” a reference to dishonesty.
On 27 October 2026, Farage addressed issue on BBC Breakfast after Sally Nugent (presenter) queried Raheem Kassam (commentator)’s tweet.
Farage blamed staff incompetence for the half-empty hall at a Reform UK event on 26 October 2026 in Westminster.
Reform UK is under investigation for an undeclared £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire.

History

October 1994, The Guardian revealed lobbyist Ian Greer paid Conservative MPs Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith to table questions for Mohamed Al-Fayed, sparking the cash-for-questions affair. The ensuing Downey inquiry in 1997 found Hamilton had taken about £25,000 in undeclared cash, prompting resignations and fueling a series of UK finance scandals that later tightened donation rules.

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October 1994, The Guardian revealed lobbyist Ian Greer paid Conservative MPs Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith to table questions for Mohamed Al-Fayed, sparking the cash-for-questions affair. The ensuing Downey inquiry in 1997 found Hamilton had taken about £25,000 in undeclared cash, prompting resignations and fueling a series of UK finance scandals that later tightened donation rules.

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