Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch Clash Over Giorgia Meloni

A public dispute has erupted between Nigel Farage of Reform UK and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch over their respective ties to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The conflict followed a Times article claiming Meloni advised Badenoch against forming a deal with Farage to unite the right, though the publication later removed the claim after complaints.

Badenoch praised Meloni's "straight-talking, no-nonsense" attitude following a visit to Rome. However, Farage and his associates claim Meloni apologized for the confusion and congratulated him on his Clacton byelection win. Robert Jenrick accused Badenoch of fabricating claims about the Prime Minister's comments, suggesting she made up a "pack of lies."

Meloni's team stated the Prime Minister does not wish to enter the domestic political dynamics of British parties. Separately, Meloni has clashed with Donald Trump over his assertions that she "begged" for a photo and his criticisms of Pope Leo XIV.