Tony Wilson UNISON NEC member NW Region 2009 2025

Exclusive: Nigel Farage's "physical altercation" during the State Opening of Parliament was with the Lib Dem MP Caroline Voaden - and has caused an major row between Reform and the Lib Dems. Lib Dem sources say Voaden was left "shocked and shaken" after he "shoved" her to secure a place in the procession of MPs to the King's Speech. Video from the Commons Chamber that day shows Farage and Voaden making their way down from their benches together. Voaden reported the incident to the Serjeant at Arms and says Farage was asked to apologise - but hasn't. A Reform spokesman denies any wrongdoing by Farage, saying "it was the Lib Dem MPs being aggressive towards Nigel". Lib Dems say that is "utter nonsense" Farage said yesterday that the "physical altercation" was the reason he didn't put up a fight to be in the Chamber for the Budget after his prayer card to save a space was removed. He said he thought that after the row with Voaden, it was "better to avoid conflict". But in a further twist, a Commons spokesman says Farage's card was only removed because it didn't have a date stamp, which are required to reserve a spot. Top work by @hope_sapphire here: telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10…