Nigel Farage’s reason for not being in the chamber for the Budget has been rubbished by MPs from all sides of the house, whilst reports have cast doubt on his claims as well.
On Wednesday, chancellor John Healey delivered his first budget to the House of Commons.
But one person who wasn’t present in the chamber for one of the biggest days in the parliamentary calendar was the man aiming to become the country’s next prime minister, Nigel Farage.
It was reported by the Telegraph that Farage didn’t attend the budget because his prayer card – a green slip of paper that reserves a backbencher’s seat on the Commons benches – had been removed.
READ NEXT: Chancellor John Healey mocks Liz Truss’ new book in budget speech
Later in the day, Farage was asked about the story and why he wasn’t present for the budget.
The Reform UK leader claimed that he feared he would have been involved in a “physical altercation” if he had tried to take his seat in the Commons.
Farage claimed that his prayer card being removed meant that he was “heading towards another physical altercation.”
“Sometimes, it’s better to avoid conflict,” he added.
But since then, his story has been completely debunked by both MPs and journalists.
Following Farage’s comments, the Telegraph reported that the Clacton MP did not attend prayers, which is when MPs can reserve their seat before the start of every Commons session.
According to the publication, Farage also did not approach Commons staff regarding a seat reservation.
His prayer card was then removed as per Chamber protocol because it did not display a valid date stamp.
Along with this, several MPs have rubbished Farage’s excuses for not attending the budget.
Shadow foreign secretary Tom Tugendhat said his claims about a “physical altercation” were not “credible,” writing in a post on X: “If you want to be in the chamber for the budget, there’s always a way.”
Labour MP Daniel Francis asked why Farage’s Reform colleagues had not made space for their leader, claiming they had done exactly this for Danny Kruger.
Meanwhile, Lib Dem Caroline Voaden said Farage’s “physical altercation” allegation was “not true.”
And deputy Tory leader Alex Burghart simply labelled it “complete guff.”
Plenty of other MPs from all sides of the house cast doubt on Farage’s excuses, with some describing them as “total bull,” “fake news,” and the “weakest excused I’ve ever heard.”