KEIR Starmer refused to call Nigel Farage a racist after being asked if he believed he is one – stating he doesn’t “call people names”.
The Labour leader joined BBC Radio 5 Live host Nicky Campbell on Friday morning, and was asked whether he believed the Reform UK leader was a racist.
Campbell's question follows Channel 4's story where an undercover journalist recorded Farage campaigners making racist and homophobic comments while out canvassing.
One campaigner was filmed saying small boats migrants should be used as “target practice”, another described the Pride flag as “degenerate”, and a third called Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a "p***".
Farage has since said he was “dismayed” by the comments but has drawn stern criticism that his stance on migration has emboldened racist views.
On his morning show, Campbell asked Starmer: “Is Nigel Farage a racist?”
“I wouldn’t call him names, I don’t think he has the answers to the challenges we face,” Starmer said, as he failed to answer the question.
Campbell then cut the Labour leader off as he said: “Well he does say leave the European Court of Human Rights and send migrants back to France.”
Starmer replied: “I’ve seen some of those comments that have come out overnight from his supporters, those who are campaigning on his behalf, they're clearly racists."
Campbell once again asked: “Is [Farage] a racist, you don’t think so?”
To which Starmer replied: “Well I don’t tend to campaign by going around calling people names.
“I don’t think he has the answers to the challenges that the country faces.”
Campbell then cut Starmer off again by pointing out that he did call Rishi Sunak “out of touch” earlier in his campaign and stated that he does call people names.
The exchange ended with Campbell saying: “You all fling things at each other.”
Starmer still refused to answer whether he believes Farage is a racist or not.
It comes after reports that Labour had blocked their own candidate from campaigning against Farage in Clacton, where he is aiming to be elected as an MP.
