A 2014 clip of Nigel Farage on Have I Got News For You has taken the internet by storm, thanks to Marine Le Pen’s recent conviction. Farage, known for his outspoken views, was confronted on the show about his own expenses as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
⚖️ Le Pen’s Conviction
On Monday, French politician Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzling European funds to finance her far-right National Rally party. As a result, she has been banned from running for office for five years, meaning she won’t be able to contest the French presidential election in 2027.
Le Pen was also handed a €100,000 fine (£82,635) and sentenced to four years in prison, two of which are suspended. It’s a significant ruling that has put the spotlight on her and, as it turns out, on Farage as well.
🤔 Farage’s 2014 HIGNFY Moment
In the wake of Le Pen’s sentencing, journalist Michael Crick pointed out that many MEPs across the EU would be thinking about the verdict. He also noted that political parties have been misusing European Parliament funds for years.
In response, one Twitter user unearthed a clip from Have I Got News For You in which Farage was grilled about his own expenses. Farage had been caught in 2009 admitting to claiming £2 million in expenses as an MEP.
🎤 “Mr Kettle”
During the HIGNFY interview, Ian Hislop labelled Farage “Mr Kettle” after he criticised MPs for using expenses to “better themselves.” The irony wasn’t lost on the audience as Farage was then challenged about his own claims, prompting an uncomfortable silence and a lot of awkward laughter.
The resurfacing of this clip has sparked a wave of reactions online, as people compare Farage’s comments on others’ misuse of public funds to his own history.
A Nigel Farage clip from Have I Got News For You is doing the rounds again – and it couldn’t be more perfectly timed.
Posted by Spotted UK on Tuesday 1 April 2025
It seems that, just like Le Pen’s case, past actions have a way of resurfacing at the most interesting moments.
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