Farage and Voaden dispute alleged Commons altercation

Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden are publicly disputing an alleged physical altercation at the House of Commons’ state opening in May, after Farage said he avoided Budget proceedings because he feared another confrontation. The accounts of who acted aggressively have not been independently established. Farage said at a post-Budget press conference that he had been involved in a physical altercation with an MP during the state opening on May 13. He said he had not complained about the incident, but anticipated possible conflict after his prayer card was removed on Budget day. MPs use the cards to reserve seats in the chamber. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said her understanding was that Farage shoved a female Liberal Democrat MP out of the way and that a male MP then challenged him. Cooper said she did not witness the incident. Voaden, the MP for South Devon, later wrote on social media that she was still waiting for an apology she said Farage was required to give. She also said she was shocked and angry. Reform officials rejected Cooper’s account and said the Liberal Democrat MP had acted aggressively. Reform Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick...