Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hot-footed it into the venue hosting tonight's television leaders' debate ahead of the General Election, amid shouts from pro-refugee protestors outside the studio.
Mr Farage's appearance at BBC Question Time Leaders' Special at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham comes just hours after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lashed out at him after a Reform UK activist was caught on camera branding the Prime Minister a 'f***ing p***'.
Hosted by Fiona Bruce, Mr Farage, wearing a smart blue suit and dot-patterned tie, appeared alongside Green Party Co-Leader Adrian Ramsay for tonight's show.
He unsurprisingly came under pressure to answer questions from the audience over the conduct of campaigners in Clacton who were recorded making a catalogue of vile racist and homophobic remarks.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hot-footed it into the venue hosting tonight's leaders' debate ahead of the General Election , amid shouts from pro-refugee protestors outside the studio
Mr Farage unsurprisingly came under pressure to answer questions from the audience over the conduct of campaigners in Clacton who were recorded making a catalogue of vile racist and homophobic remarks
Pro-refugee protestors shouted outside the studio and held banners as Mr Farage arrived
Pro-refugee campaigners held up placards to the arriving guests, who included Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay
The PM, whose grandparents were from India, said earlier today Mr Farage had 'questions to answer' as Reform plunged into chaos in the wake of the revelations, the latest and most damaging of a string of allegations to hit it in recent weeks.
He likened the language to that used by 'misogynist' Andrew Tate and repeated the racial slur used against him 'because it is important to call it out for what it is', citing the impact on his young daughters.
Reform activist Andrew Parker, who made the remark about the PM, was also secretly recorded by Channel 4 News in Essex suggesting that migrants should be shot by soldiers as they arrive on UK beaches.
He also called for Muslims to be ejected from mosques so they can be turned into Wetherspoons pubs.
Other campaigners in the town where Mr Farage is hoping to become the MP on July 4 suggested LGBT people are 'degenerate', would turn the police into 'paramilitaries' and would bring back 'the noose'.
Mr Farage said what had happened during the secret Channel 4 recording was 'unbelievable' and that most of what had appeared in the report 'didn't ring true'
Mr Farage also repeated his claim that Mr Parker is an actor and 'was acting from the very start' during his interview. Pictured: Mr Farage pressed his finger against his mouth as he listened to the audience
'This is a total and utter set-up': Mr Farage was unequivocal in his belief that the Channel 4 report had included the appearance of an actor
Mr Farage was seen frequently clasping his hands together or waving them emphatically around as he answered the questions from the audience
Mr Farage gestures with his hands as he answers one of many questions on topics ranging from tax and immigration to the state of the NHS from the audience
Presenter Fiona Bruce grilled Mr Farage on the appearance of Mr Jackson in the Channel 4 report and was told 'he's nothing to do with us'
Mr Farage appeared alongside Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay on the BBC Question Time Leaders' Special
During Friday night's appearance on Question Time, Mr Farage said what had happened was 'unbelievable' and that most of what had appeared in the report 'didn't ring true.'
He repeated his claim that Mr Parker is an actor and 'was acting from the very start' during his interview.
Mr Farage told the audience: 'This is a total and utter set-up'.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the racial slur used against him by a Reform UK canvasser - who Mr Farage disputes is an actor - made him feel hurt and 'angry'
He was unequivocal in his stance that Mr Parker's views did not reflect those of the Reform UK party and took pains to say: 'He is nothing to do with us.'
On ITV's Loose Women earlier today, Mr Farage made similar claims and said Mr Parker was an actor used to discredit him, saying: 'This whole whole thing is a complete and utter set-up, of that I have no doubt.'
During a campaign visit to a school in Teesside, the Prime Minister told broadcasters that what he had seen 'hurts' and made him 'angry'.
He said: 'My two daughters have to see and hear Reform people who campaign for Nigel Farage calling me an effing p***. It hurts and it makes me angry, and I think he has some questions to answer.
'I don't repeat those words lightly. I do so deliberately, because this is too important not to call out clearly for what it is.'
Asked whether he was frustrated that some former Tory voters are leaning towards Reform UK when their activists are making racist and homophobic comments, Mr Sunak said: 'When you see Reform candidates and campaigners seemingly using racist and misogynistic language and opinion, seemingly without challenge, I think it tells you something about the culture in the Reform party.
'Andrew Tate isn't an important voice for men. He's a vile misogynist. And our politics and country is better than that.
'As Prime Minister, but more importantly as a father of two young girls, it's my duty to call out this corrosive and divisive behaviour.'