<p>London: A speech being delivered by Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's right-wing Reform UK party, was interrupted late Saturday when a banner of Russian President Vladimir Putin descended from the ceiling at an election rally.</p>.<p>Campaign group Led by Donkeys, which opposes Farage's views, said it was responsible for the stunt at the Columbine Centre, at Walton on the Naze in southeast England, and posted a video of the unveiling on X.</p><p>That showed the banner slowly unfurling behind a speaking Farage, revealing a smiling Putin giving a thumbs-up sign, along with the words "I (heart emoji) Nigel".</p><p>Led By Donkeys said on X: "Nigel Farage says Putin is the world leader he 'admires the most' and blames the West for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine."</p><p>That was a reference to comments Farage made earlier this month when he said the eastward expansion of the European Union and NATO had <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/world/uks-nigel-farage-says-west-provoked-putins-invasion-of-ukraine-3076927">provoked Putin's invasion</a> of Ukraine.</p>.Putin accuses NATO of creating a security threat for Russia in Asia.<p>The remarks, made in an interview with the <em>BBC</em>, drew strong criticism across the British political spectrum ahead of a July 4 national election in which Farage's party is predicted to win millions of votes.</p><p>On seeing the banner, Farage said: "Who put that up there," adding: "Someone at the Columbine Centre needs to get the sack."</p><p>The audience then started chanting: "Rip it down."</p><p><em>Reuters</em> has sought comment from Reform UK.</p><p>Farage is seeking election as a lawmaker, or member of parliament (MP), in Clacton-on-Sea, which is nine miles from Walton on the Naze.</p><p>On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was hurt and angry that a supporter of Reform UK had been recorded making a racial slur about him, saying it was too important for him not to speak out.</p>
<p>London: A speech being delivered by Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's right-wing Reform UK party, was interrupted late Saturday when a banner of Russian President Vladimir Putin descended from the ceiling at an election rally.</p>.<p>Campaign group Led by Donkeys, which opposes Farage's views, said it was responsible for the stunt at the Columbine Centre, at Walton on the Naze in southeast England, and posted a video of the unveiling on X.</p><p>That showed the banner slowly unfurling behind a speaking Farage, revealing a smiling Putin giving a thumbs-up sign, along with the words "I (heart emoji) Nigel".</p><p>Led By Donkeys said on X: "Nigel Farage says Putin is the world leader he 'admires the most' and blames the West for Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine."</p><p>That was a reference to comments Farage made earlier this month when he said the eastward expansion of the European Union and NATO had <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/world/uks-nigel-farage-says-west-provoked-putins-invasion-of-ukraine-3076927">provoked Putin's invasion</a> of Ukraine.</p>.Putin accuses NATO of creating a security threat for Russia in Asia.<p>The remarks, made in an interview with the <em>BBC</em>, drew strong criticism across the British political spectrum ahead of a July 4 national election in which Farage's party is predicted to win millions of votes.</p><p>On seeing the banner, Farage said: "Who put that up there," adding: "Someone at the Columbine Centre needs to get the sack."</p><p>The audience then started chanting: "Rip it down."</p><p><em>Reuters</em> has sought comment from Reform UK.</p><p>Farage is seeking election as a lawmaker, or member of parliament (MP), in Clacton-on-Sea, which is nine miles from Walton on the Naze.</p><p>On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was hurt and angry that a supporter of Reform UK had been recorded making a racial slur about him, saying it was too important for him not to speak out.</p>