Nigel Farage says reports he is planning an eighth shot at being an MP are ‘fake news’
2 min read
Nigel Farage has dismissed reports that he is considering running for Parliament for the eight time, branding the speculation “fake news”.
The former Ukip leader was rumoured to have his eye on Labour MP Fiona Onasanya’s Peterborough seat, as she faces a looming court battle over a speeding fine.
A source close to Mr Farage told The Times: “Nigel has for months been saying that he will don khaki and return to the frontline of British politics if Brexit looks like it’s going to be derailed.
“He is considering a number of options and discussions will be had in the coming weeks about what he will do next, so watch this space.
“He attended multiple public meetings in Peterborough during the referendum campaign, so it’s not an unattractive option and we are thinking of doing some polling in the seat, but at the moment there is no vacancy.”
But Mr Farage later rejected the claims, describing the story as “fake news”.
Speaking on LBC he said: “I don’t know who your sources are but you’ve got the wrong ones. You could have always phoned me if you’d wanted to.
“I suppose it’s a good story and a bit of fun. But it’s completely and utterly untrue.”
Referring to a phrase often used by the US President, he added: “In fact, Donald would call it fake news”.
Peterborough MP Ms Onasanya is accused, alongside her brother Festus, of lying about who was driving a car that was photographed breaching the speed limit.
Last month she was charged with perverting the course of justice and is due to appear in court again on August 13.
The incident could see the Labour MP lose her Peterborough seat, prompting a by-election in the Brexit-backing area.
Mr Farage has said recently that he would considering returning to frontline politics in response to the Government’s handling of Brexit.
Speaking on LBC last month, he said: “I hope it doesn’t happen, this is my 20th July in Strasbourg, I’ve done my bit in elected politics - I never want to have to do it again ever, ever ever, but if they drop the ball I’ll have no choice.”
The former Ukip leader has run for Parliament eight times, coming closest to winning a seat in 2015 when he came second in South Thanet behind Tory Craig MacKinlay, winning 32.4% of the vote.
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