GB News presenter Nigel Farage has come under fire for the use of a controversial republican slogan linked to the IRA.
He has claimed he was duped into sending the personalised message.
Farage announced earlier this year that he will present a daily show on GB News after stepping back from frontline politics earlier this year.
The former Reform UK leader hosts Farage at 7pm on the national news channel.
In a video announcing the news, Mr Farage said “I will not be taking the knee for anyone on this show” in reference to presenter Guto Harri, who made the gesture on air earlier this week.
Mr Farage said: “Since politics I have done a fair bit of broadcasting and broadcasting matters. It really, really does.
“It gets people to look at issues, think about issues in different ways and can be very influential.”
Nigel Farage under fire for IRA jibe
The former politician has caused controversy online appearing in a Cameo video message – a site where celebrities are paid to send personalised video messages.
The video was sent to after Farage was paid £74 to send a personalised birthday message.
In the clip he says: "This message is for Brian, brexiteer.
"I hope you have a great birthday and this comes from your good friend Aidan," he says and then raises a cup of coffee to give a toast.
"Now, it's a bit early in the day so all I've got actually is coffee, but I hope you enjoy a few pints with the lads tonight."
He then says "up the RA!" before taking a sip of his coffee.
Amazing 😂🤣😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/XefETYyZd7
— Marty O'Brólachan (@brolachan) October 10, 2021
Nigel Farage speaks out on controversial message
Mr Farage told Mail Online: “If I saw 'up the RA' I would have looked at that as something very innocent, and wouldn't have even known there was an implication to it.
"A lot of messages that I get are friends sending each other messages with their own little jokes or their own little words which I have to judge - and of course I reject some if they are crude or offensive."
Aske if he would have sent the message had he known the slogan was in support of the IRA he said: "Are you joking? I had a face-to-face death threat from them."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article