UKIP MEP Nigel Farage has said that Donald Trump told him the pair will be “friends for life” during a rally in Mississippi in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, adding that he “believes” him.
Speaking to an audience of around 350 in Perth, Australia, where he is currently on tour with his new show, “An Entertaining Evening with Nigel Farage,” the Brexiteer said.
“I like Trump. On that stage in Mississippi, when I came off the podium and shook his hand, he said ‘you will be my friend for life’ and, do you know what, I believe him.”
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During his show, which organizers are reportedly charging Aussies up to $300 per person to attend, Farage also attacked UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s Chequers Brexit plan, once again calling for Britain’s complete withdrawal from the bloc.
Moreover, Farage called for an improvement in bilateral UK-Australia relations and expressed his shock of Australian politicians publicly criticizing Brexit, claiming that the UK’s divorce from the EU will ultimately benefit Australia.
“Australian politicians [said] Britain should not vote for Brexit, which struck me as being completely and utterly bizarre…Because if there was one repercussion for the world, it is that it will benefit from Brexit,” he said.
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“We reversed what we did to you in the common market and that will enable us to have closer relations with Britain, Australia and the wider English-speaking world.”
Outside of Brexit, Farage commented on former EDL leader Tommy Robinson’s imprisonment on contempt of court charges, describing him as “brave but unwise.” Robinson was ultimately released after a court ordered a retrial, but he could find himself behind bars again in the near future.
Although Farage clearly maintains a degree of support in Australia, critics have attempted to disrupt his tour, with protestors displaying placards and banners calling him “Nazi scum” outside his Perth event.
He has already said he is considering running for London mayor in 2020, though he is yet to commit himself as a candidate for UKIP.
