Nigel Farage faces accusations of shoving a Liberal Democrat MP in Commons

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he missed John Healey’s budget speech because his allocated seat was moved, prompting him to keep a distance from the chamber to avoid further conflict. Farage claimed a "physical alterangement" with another MP during the state opening of parliament in May led him to give the area a "wide berth."

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper told Sky News that, according to her understanding, Farage "physically shoved one of our female MPs out of the way" and that a male Liberal Democrat MP subsequently challenged him. Cooper added that the party had previously faced criticism over the treatment of female journalists at a Reform UK conference.

The female MP believed to be involved, Caroline Voaden, posted on social media questioning Farage’s account and said she was still awaiting an apology she said he was required to write.

A source close to Reform UK denied the Liberal Democrat version, describing the claim as "not true at all" and accusing Liberal Democrat MPs of being aggressive toward Farage. When asked for a comment, Reform’s shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick expressed frustration with the debate, stating he would not dignify the accusations with a response.

Reform UK has been approached for further comment.