Somehow, the internet has found yet another way to weaponise embarrassment against public figures, and this time it’s landed squarely on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Content warning: child sexual abuse, sexual offences
Farage, who offers personalised shoutouts on Cameo, has been tricked into recording a “tribute” message to Ian Watkins, the disgraced former frontman of Lostprophets, not that Ian Watkins in the “common name” way Farage later tried to suggest.
The very same Watkins who was arrested in 2012 and later convicted for child sexual abuse offences.
In the video, Farage appears to blindly read the request and delivers the kind of sentimental send off you’d expect for a beloved public figure, only this one comes attached to one of the most infamous names in modern British rock history.
What Farage said
“This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy who was very much in contact with me, who loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever.”
He continues: “He will always hold a very special place in everybody’s heart,” before adding, “And remember what he always said, ‘mad lolz’ – well, I’ll tell you what, that does just about sum up the world, doesn’t it? Sorry for your grief, but please try and keep some happy memories.”
The video was posted to social media and quickly went viral, dark humour spreads fast and this one had all the ingredients, a recognisable politician, zero fact checking, and a name that should set off alarm bells for literally anyone with Google.
According to Metro, the request was submitted by a man named John Smith, who reportedly paid £98 for the Cameo, Smith expected Farage to reject it, but instead received the full video.
When Farage realised what he’d done, he told Metro:
“Thank him for the money,” then added: “There are lots of Ian Watkins. Tell him to send more. I did alter his request.”
Smith later said: “‘I am concerned that he could not see through my frankly paper-thin deception and his willingness to do anything for money without even a rudimentary check,” and followed it up with: “‘If he would do this for a small amount of money, what would he do for paymasters with deeper pockets?”
Honestly? Fair question.
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