Protestors who abused Farage in Edinburgh are a 'disgrace'
UKIP leader calls mob 'fascist scum' but supporters say he won't stop engaging with those who hate him

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
THE mob of angry protestors who forced Nigel Farage to flee a press conference in Scotland will only strengthen the UKIP leader's belief in good-natured debate, one of his supporters has said.
Farage was whisked away in a police van yesterday after about 50 protestors disrupted the party's Edinburgh launch of its by-election campaign for Aberdeen Donside. The UKIP leader had to be escorted away by police as protestors yelled 'fascist' and told him to 'Go home to England'.
The incident was condemned by several of Farage's political opponents today including The Daily Telegraph columnist Dan Hodges.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"I'm no political fan of Nigel Farage," tweeted Hodges. "But what happened in Scotland is a disgrace. He's free to campaign wherever he wants."
Farage branded the protestors "fascist scum" and said that they were motivated by "total and utter hatred" of the English.
"If this is the face of Scottish nationalism, it's a pretty ugly nation, Farage told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme. "The anger, the hatred, the shouting, the snarling, the swearing were all linked in to a desire for the Union Jack to be burnt."
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Michael Heaver, a political commentator who campaigns for UKIP, said that those who had "hounded" Farage in Edinburgh had sunk to new lows. They had failed to realise that Farage "welcomes" those hostile to his opinions to attend his public meetings.
"Those who hate Farage can say why - and he will give them the courtesy of a response," writes Heaver. "Not all politicians do that; he should be respected for it."
But Farage's tolerance for those he perceives as opponents was not in evidence this morning when he hung up the phone in the middle of a radio interview with Good Morning Scotland. Farage said he had "sensed hatred" in some of the questions posed by interviewer David Miller, who probed the UKIP leader about his knowledge of Scottish politics.
Miller said the electoral outlook for UKIP in Scotland is "rather gloomy" and asked Farage how many elected representatives the party had there.
"Absolutely none," the UKIP leader replied, before adding: "I'm sensing similar hatred from this line of questioning that I got on the streets yesterday in Edinburgh."
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Seaham Hall review: serenity on the coast in County Durham
The Week Recommends Former haunt of Lord Byron is pure poetry when it comes to spa options in the north-east
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 27, 2023
Daily Briefing A New York judge rules Trump defrauded banks, Biden visits auto workers on picket line, and more
By Harold Maass Published
-
How to reduce your energy bills by tackling 'vampire' devices
Personal FInance Leaving appliances on standby could be adding to your energy bills
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Is it time the world re-evaluated the rules on migration?
Today's Big Question Home Secretary Suella Braverman questions whether 1951 UN Refugee Convention is 'fit for our modern age'
By The Week Staff Published
-
Rishi Sunak's tree code: what is the PM's election strategy?
Today's Big Question Conservative leader lining up major policy announcements in bid to rebrand as 'change' candidate
By Elliott Goat Published
-
Will Rishi Sunak's green wedge issue win over the public?
Today's Big Question The PM draws dividing line with Labour on net zero ahead of the next general election
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Industry backlash as Sunak set to water down green pledges
Speed Read Automotive and energy bosses look for clarity after PM backs away from UK net zero goal
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
October by-elections: what's at stake for Labour, Lib Dems and Tories
Parties will contest two former safe Tory seats on 19 October, putting pressure on Rishi Sunak
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Jobs for the boys: does the UK need a minister for men?
Conservative MP calls for dedicated cabinet role to combat 'crisis' in men's mental health and education
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Nigel Farage: was former UKIP leader cancelled by Coutts?
Talking Point Plight of outspoken politician throws light on question of whether banks are playing politics with their own customers
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nigel Farage claims ‘serious political persecution’ after bank account closures
Speed Read Former UKIP leader says he is being forced out of UK by unnamed bank’s decision
By Sorcha Bradley Published