Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, has hit back at claims that he is a far-right extremist, describing the accusations as ‘ridiculous’.
In an interview with GB News, Tice denied the allegations, saying that he is a ‘patriot’ who wants to see the UK leave the European Union and take back control of its borders.
‘I’m not a far-right extremist,’ Tice said. ‘I’m a patriot who wants to see this country succeed.’
Tice also criticized the media for perpetuating the ‘far-right’ label, saying that it is a ‘smear’ that is designed to discredit him and his party.
‘The media is trying to label me as a far-right extremist, but I’m not,’ Tice said. ‘I’m a patriot who wants to see this country succeed.’
Tice’s comments come as Reform UK is gearing up for a series of local elections in May, in which the party is hoping to make gains.
‘We’re not going to let the media define us,’ Tice said. ‘We’re going to define ourselves.’
Tice also spoke about the party’s plans for the future, saying that it is committed to leaving the EU and taking back control of the country’s borders.
‘We’re going to make sure that this country is governed by the people, not by Brussels,’ Tice said.
Tice’s interview with GB News comes as the party is facing increasing scrutiny over its links to far-right groups.
‘We’re not a far-right party,’ Tice said. ‘We’re a patriotic party that wants to see this country succeed.’
Tice also criticized the government for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that it has been ‘ineffective’ and ‘inept.’
‘The government has been a disaster,’ Tice said. ‘They’ve been ineffective and inept.’
Tice’s comments come as the UK is facing a third wave of COVID-19 cases, with many experts warning that the country is at risk of another lockdown.
‘We need to take back control of our country,’ Tice said. ‘We need to take back control of our borders.’
Tice’s interview with GB News is the latest in a series of high-profile interviews he has given in recent weeks, in which he has spoken about his party’s plans for the future and his vision for the UK.
‘We’re going to make sure that this country is governed by the people, not by Brussels,’ Tice said.