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Farage and Badenoch court Meloni
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Farage and Badenoch clash over Meloni's alleged advice. The row exposes Tory-Reform rivalry for rightwing voters.
Background
The row began when The Times reported that during a Rome meeting, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni advised Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch against a deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK. The article was later amended after complaints from Reform and Meloni's team. Both British leaders are vying for the rightwing vote and seeking Meloni's approval, leading to a public spat.
How it unfolded
- recentlyBadenoch posted a selfie with Meloni after a Rome trip, praising her 'straight-talking' attitude.
- recentlyThe Times published an article claiming Meloni advised Badenoch against a Farage deal; later amended after complaints.
- recentlyReform sources said Meloni apologized to Farage for confusion and congratulated him on his Clacton win.
- recentlyRobert Jenrick, now Reform MP, accused Badenoch of making up lies about Meloni's comments.
Who’s saying what
- Tories
- A Tory spokesperson said Reform is 'peddling conspiracy theories' and making things up to distract from a £5m donation scandal.
- Reform
- Farage said there is no quote from Meloni herself, only Badenoch's account, implying she fabricated the advice.
- Meloni's team
- Meloni's team said she 'did not enter and does not want to enter into domestic political dynamics' between British parties.
- Analysts
- Raheem Kassam, former Farage adviser, said Meloni has a good relationship with Farage since 2016 and would not have made such a comment.
Still unverified
The Times' original claim that Meloni advised Badenoch against a Farage deal was amended after complaints; the exact nature of the conversation remains disputed.