Nigel Farage is under pressure to address his lack of response following a statement by Reform MP Sarah Pochin criticizing advertisements featuring Black and Asian individuals. Anna Turley, who leads the Labour Party, has written to Farage urging him to address Pochin’s remarks. Pochin expressed her frustration with non-white individuals being prominently featured in TV adverts during a Talk TV segment.
Turley condemned Pochin’s comments as racist and called out Farage for his silence on the matter. Health Secretary Wes Streeting labeled Pochin’s statements as disgraceful, emphasizing the need for accountability. Deputy PM David Lammy also criticized Pochin’s remarks as racially insensitive and called for her dismissal from her position.
In response to the backlash, Pochin apologized for any offense caused but maintained her stance that advertisements are not representative of British society. Streeting expressed skepticism about the sincerity of Pochin’s apology, suggesting that she regrets being exposed rather than truly acknowledging her error.
Lammy strongly condemned Pochin’s comments, highlighting the diversity and contributions of various communities in the UK. He called on Farage to take action against Pochin and offer an apology for her statements, expressing disgust on behalf of himself, his family, and the nation.
Reform UK has been contacted by the Mirror for a statement regarding the situation. Turley also directly addressed Farage, urging him to clarify Reform’s stance on Pochin’s remarks and take appropriate action to address the issue promptly.