Reform's Lee Anderson demands public apology from LBC host James O'Brien over 'distressing' and 'dehumanising' attacks on leader Nigel Farage

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT-AT-LARGE Published: 16:04, 16 July 2026 | Updated: 16:06, 16 July 2026 Reform UK's chairman Lee Anderson has demanded a public apology from left-wing LBC presenter James O'Brien over recent comments made about Nigel Farage. On Monday, Mr O'Brien took to the airwaves and levelled several furious comments aimed at the Reform UK leader as tributes continued to flood in for Ann Widdecombe. He dismissed claims Mr Farage had made about attacks on him during the Reform chief's announcement that he would resign as an MP to fight a by-election in Clacton. Across his show, the LBC star said: 'I have seen this all before, I have seen the claims about his security, which generally hinge upon widely reported or non-existent episodes. 'If you don't want to be mobbed [by breastfeeding activists] just don't say bigoted and disgusting things about breastfeeding…' 'Something about this moment is different from the time he lied about his wheel nuts being tampered with. The time he apparently lied about his house being firebombed. Mr O'Brien also made highly personal ad hominem attacks against Mr Farage during the episode, branding him a 'horrible excretion… bobbing around in the toilet bowl of public life'. He doubled down shortly after, adding: 'He is the unflushable poo, he is the irremovable skid mark on the Y-fronts of British politics'. James O'Brien launched a furious attack on Nigel Farage and the Reform leader's claims about his own personal security  Mr Farage has said he is frequently abused and subjected to death threats, including real life assaults Reform UK's chairman Lee Anderson has demanded a public apology from the LBC star, or threatened to submit a complaint to Ofcom Reform UK is demanding a public apology over the remarks, pointing to Ofcom's Broadcasting Code rules around hate speech. The regulator's definition of hate speech includes forms of expression used to spread or incite hatred based on political opinion of the opponent. In a letter to the broadcaster, seen by the Daily Mail, Mr Anderson argues that Mr O'Brien's comments 'are clear breaches of these rules'. 'Nigel Farage is no stranger to criticism from commentators. However, to dehumanise him in this way, referring to him as 'excrement' and a 'skid mark', and to then idly muse that there is 'nothing we can do to get rid of him' is beyond the pale. 'This clear, personal, dislike of the man, paired with his earlier disregard for Nigel's claims around his personal safety ('These bogus victimhood narratives') make for very distressing listening indeed.' Reform has called on LBC, and owner Global, to instruct Mr O'Brien to make a public apology for his remarks, and to issue him with a warning about broadcasting rules around hate speech. The party warns that failing this, they will lodge an official complaint with Ofcom next Monday. Global was approached for comment.