“One week I’m Hitler’s buddy, then next week the Tower of London’s Poppy Memorial is hailed as 'Ukip-style' attraction in the Guardian. Well – which is it? Am I pro-freedom, or anti-freedom? Am I a modern Hitler or a modern Churchill?”
Ukip gaffes and controversies
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Yesterday, in a column for the Guardian, Boyle sought to answer his question, suggesting that Ukip is the second coming of Nazis “without the style”.
“Well Nigel, you seem to be pro-freedom for big business and rich people, anti-freedom for immigrants, asylum seekers, gay people and other marginalised groups,” he wrote.
“Does that also answer the second question or shall I go on? You ask if you’re a Hitler or a Churchill. Well, your party forms pacts with right-wing Holocaust deniers.
“The poppy memorial was described as 'Ukip-style' not because your party is imbued with the same Churchillian values as the poppy, but because the stunt itself was viewed as the sort of crass politicisation of patriotism that your party is so fond of.”
The row originally started when Ó Briain called Lawrence “bitter” and “self-delusional” for criticising panel shows including Mock The Week for its alleged “liberal back-slapping”, arguing that such programmes feature “ageing, balding, fat men, ethnic comedians and women-posing-as-comedians” making jokes at the expense of Ukip and Farage.
Naturally, Farage sided with Lawrence, praising him for his honesty on Twitter.
Boyle responded, posting: “There are a lot of honest people in comedy, which is why they keep calling you a c**t.”
The Ukip leader wrote: “Probably the funniest thing I've ever heard you say,” to which Boyle retorted: “You didn't hear me say it you daft b*stard.”
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