Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy severely criticized Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during parliamentary questions on Wednesday, July 8.
The criticism centered on Farage's decision to resign from his seat and trigger a by-election in Clacton.
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Farage stepped down on Tuesday to run again under a populist campaign banner. He declared the election as "people versus establishment."
The move comes as Farage faces an inquiry by the parliamentary standards commissioner. The probe involves a £5 million transfer from a crypto-billionaire before his 2024 campaign.
Additional scrutiny includes incomplete property records and undisclosed assistance from George Cottrell, a convicted criminal who provided funding for staff, security, and a London townhouse.
Farage has denied any financial wrongdoing, calling the allegations an "establishment stitch-up."
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper initiated the debate, questioning whether the resignation should be postponed until the undeclared funds probe concludes.
She joked about Farage's actions, referencing his past slogan "leave means leave."
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Lammy, representing the government while Keir Starmer attended the NATO summit in Turkey, challenged Farage's public image.
He stated, "Everyone can see that the Reform leader is just trying to distract from the fact that he is up to his neck in sleaze."
Lammy emphasized that the government would not engage with the political maneuver, saying, "Labour isn’t going to be part of this circus."
He mocked the election dynamic in Clacton, noting that Farage's only competitor is the comedy candidate Count Binface after all other major parties withdrew.
Lammy concluded, "There have been unqualified joke candidates in the past. Let’s see what the people of Clacton decide."
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The by-election will proceed without candidates from other major political parties.
