Nigel Farage: Racism and Bigotry

Overview

Nigel Farage has faced repeated accusations of racism and bigotry throughout his political career. His rhetoric on immigration, multiculturalism, and national identity has been condemned by opponents as xenophobic, while Farage and his supporters argue that he is “telling uncomfortable truths.”

This page highlights key controversies and fact-checks relating to Farage’s statements on race and immigration.

Immigration Rhetoric

Farage has consistently placed immigration at the centre of his campaigns, often using stark and emotive language.

• In 2016, UKIP unveiled the infamous “Breaking Point” poster, depicting a queue of refugees and asylum seekers. The image was widely condemned as racist fearmongering.
• More recently, as leader of Reform UK, Farage has claimed asylum seekers are driving a “crime wave” in Britain.

👉 Related fact-check: GB News segment links asylum seekers to rising crime

False Claims About Migrants

Farage has made repeated claims about the behaviour of migrants and foreign nationals that lack evidence or have been debunked.

• In 2025, he suggested that foreign nationals are disproportionately responsible for sexual offences in the UK.
  👉 Fact-check: Foreigners more likely than Britons to commit sexual offences?
• On LBC, he alleged that migrants were catching and eating swans and carp in public parks, a claim denied by local authorities and unsupported by evidence.
  👉 Fact-check: Migrants eating swans and carp

Crime and Punishment Narratives

Farage has repeatedly tied immigration to crime, often citing misleading statistics.

• In July 2025, he claimed that “illegal migrants are 24 times more likely to end up in prison.” Independent analysis showed this statistic was misrepresented and lacked context.
  👉 Fact-check: “Illegal migrants are 24 times more likely to be imprisoned”

Public and Media Reactions

• Civil rights groups and political opponents have repeatedly criticised Farage’s statements as xenophobic and divisive.
• Mainstream media coverage has oscillated between condemning his rhetoric and amplifying it without challenge, allowing Farage to shape debate on immigration and race.

Sources

• ONS – Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2025
• Migration Observatory (Oxford) – Immigration and Crime: Evidence for the UK and Other Countries
• Full Fact – Misleading ‘asylum seeker crime’ stats circulating online
• Full Fact – ‘Channel migrants are 24x more likely to be imprisoned’ claim examined
• Sky News – Royal Parks response to ‘eating swans’ claim (legal protections)
• Ministry of Justice – Offender Management Statistics (Jan–Mar 2025)

Conclusion

Accusations of racism and bigotry have followed Nigel Farage throughout his career, from the “Breaking Point” poster to more recent unsubstantiated claims about migrants. These narratives have played a central role in his political strategy, shaping public debate on immigration while drawing strong condemnation.

👉 Explore the Fact-Checking Hub for a full archive of Farage’s statements and verdicts.

Disclaimer
Farage Exposed is an independent, non-commercial project created for informational and public interest purposes. All content is based on publicly available sources, including news reports, public statements, archived interviews, and official records. While every effort is made to ensure factual accuracy, we encourage readers to cross-reference sources and approach all information with critical thinking. This site makes no claim of affiliation with or endorsement by any individuals or entities mentioned herein.