A major political dispute has broken out between Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden over an alleged physical incident that took place at the State Opening of Parliament.

 

Farage says he had a physical confrontration with CAROLINE VOADEN

A major political dispute has broken out between Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden over an alleged physical incident that took place at the State Opening of Parliament.

The row surfaced on October 29, 2026, after Farage used the prior altercation to explain his absence from the Chancellor's high-profile Budget speech. Both sides have offered entirely conflicting accounts of who was responsible.

Nigel Farage's Account

• The Catalyst: Farage skipped the House of Commons chamber for the Budget speech, claiming his parliamentary "prayer card" (the physical card used by MPs to reserve seats) had been removed.
• Avoiding Conflict: Farage asserted at a post-Budget press conference that he chose to stay away to avoid a repeat of a previous "physical altercation" he had experienced with an MP in the chamber during the State Opening of Parliament.
• The Position: Farage painted himself as someone choosing the peaceful option to avoid escalating tension. House of Commons officials later clarified that his seat card was simply removed via normal protocol because it lacked a valid date stamp.

Caroline Voaden's Account

• The Counter-Claim: Following Farage's public comments, Caroline Voaden identified herself as the MP involved, swiftly stating on social media, "we both know that’s not true, Nigel, don’t we?".
• The "Shove": According to Voaden and Lib Dem sources, Farage missed his designated chance to process with other party leaders to the House of Lords. Instead of queuing, he allegedly shoved Voaden out of the way on a staircase to barge past. Lib Dem sources noted she was left "shocked and bloody angry".
• Official Complaint: Voaden stated she reported the incident to the Serjeant at Arms. She maintains that Farage was formally ordered by Commons authorities to write her an apology, which she has yet to receive.

Party Defenses and Disputing Accounts

• Reform UK Defence: Reform insiders and spokespersons heavily rejected the Liberal Democrats' framing, accusing the party of "lying" and "dishonesty in an attempt to stay relevant". A Reform source claimed that video footage unburied by the Daily Telegraph disproved that Voaden was shaken, counter-claiming that it was the Lib Dem MPs who were actually behaving aggressively toward Farage.
• Lib Dem Rebuttal: Lib Dem MP Max Wilkinson countered the video defense, stating that the actual physical shoving occurred on the staircase just before the specific footage captured the pair walking out.