Nigel Farage ruffled feathers today by claiming migrants are killing and eating swans in London‘s parks.
The Reform UK leader suggested that people who have come from eastern Europe are taking swans from parks in the capital and carp from ponds across the UK to eat.
But the Royal Parks charity, which looks after London’s most famous green spaces, immediately rejected Mr Farage’s claims.
It said it did not know of any reported incidents of people killing or eating swans in London’s eight Royal Parks, which include Hyde Park and Richmond Park.
‘We’ve not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans in London’s eight Royal Parks,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Our wildlife officers work closely with the Swan Sanctuary to ensure the welfare of the swans across the parks.’
Mr Farage had made the swiftly-rejected claim during an appearance on LBC radio, in which he was challenged about past comments by Donald Trump.
The US President last year spread unevidenced allegations that Haitian immigrants in America were eating cats and dogs.
Nigel Farage ruffled feathers by claiming migrants are killing and eating swans in London’s parks
Swans are pictured in the Serpentine in Hyde Park. The Royal Parks charity, which looks after London’s most famous green spaces, immediately rejected Mr Farage’s claims
Mr Farage had previously insisted that evidence would emerge to back up Mr Trump’s claims.
But, challenged on Wednesday about the US President’s past comments, the Reform leader dodged a question on whether he agreed that Mr Trump’s remarks had turned out to be ‘nonsensical’.
Mr Farage instead spoke about swans and carp allegedly being taken from UK waters.
He said: ‘If I said to you that swans were being eaten in Royal Parks in this country, that carp were being taken out of ponds and eaten in this country by people who come from cultures that have a different… would you agree it happened, is happening here?’
The Reform leader said it was ‘people who come from countries where it’s quite acceptable to do so’ who are taking the carp and swans.
Asked if it was eastern Europeans, he said: ‘So I believe.’
