Newslinks for Wednesday 3rd September 2025

Nigel Farage in US to speak about free speech, raising arrest of Graham Linehan

“Britain has become an “illiberal and authoritarian censorship regime”, Nigel Farage will warn the US Congress – raising the arrest of Graham Linehan. The Reform boss will testify to a free speech investigation that the UK has “lost its way” and risks tearing apart transatlantic relations. Mr Farage will directly blame Ofcom’s attempts to police American online content visible by Brits for hitting our economy and putting Sir Keir Starmer on a collision course with the White House. And he will call for the US to punish countries that restrict free speech with diplomatic and trade penalties. The highly anticipated appearance before the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee comes just a day after comedian Linehan revealed he was arrested over online comments when arriving in the UK from the states. Mr Farage said last night: “The Graham Linehan case is yet another example of the war on freedom in the UK. I will discuss this, the Lucy Connolly case and the increasing role of our police in non-crime ‘hate’ incidents on Capitol Hill tomorrow. Free speech is under assault and I am urging the USA to be vigilant.” The US politicians are probing “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation”, with the UK’s Online Safety Act and criminal sanctions over speech firmly in their sights. In written evidence submitted and seen by The Sun, Mr Farage warned the OSA “risks exporting restrictive standards to the United States that will violate the constitutional rights of American citizens” who are protected under First Amendment protections over speech. And in a move that risks a major row in Westminster, he will urge the US government to seek direct exemption from US hosted content and for US based firms from the scope of UK regulators.” – The Sun

• Arrest of Father Ted creator Graham Linehan over trans posts condemned – PA
• Starmer attacks Met after Father Ted creator arrested over trans posts – Daily Telegraph
• Comedian Graham Linehan arrested over trans tweets – The Times
• ​​Nigel Farage explodes at his biggest political enemies and reveals 1 should be ‘in hiding’ – Daily Express

Comment:

• I just got arrested again – Graham Linehan, Substack
• The arrest of gender-critical Graham Linehan is insane – Suzanne Moore, Daily Telegraph
• Why Graham Linehan’s freedom of speech matters – George Monaghan, The New Statesman
• The persecution of Graham Linehan – Brendan O’Neill, The Spectator
• Graham Linehan’s arrest exposes the frightening truth about Starmer’s Britain – Sam Ashworth-Hayes, Daily Telegraph
• Reform has learnt wrong lesson from Trump – Daniel Finkelstein, The Times

> Today: Lee Rotherham: Will Reform form the next Government? If the stars align, maybe

> Yesterday: Peter Franklin: We need to talk about Nigel Farage’s successor

Reeves oversees UK borrowing costs hit a 27-year high

“Rachel Reeves is under mounting pressure after Britain’s long-term borrowing costs hit a 27-year high and there were warnings that further tax rises will damage economic growth. The interest rate on 30-year government debt rose to 5.72 per cent, the highest level since 1998. The pound also fell by more than 1 per cent against the dollar. While the cost of government borrowing is rising around the world, there are particular concerns about the prospect of significant tax rises in the autumn budget and the potential damage to economic growth. Reeves is expected to have to fill a hole in the public finances of £40 billion. The Treasury is looking at an array of options to raise the money, including stealth taxes, a mansion tax and a tax raid on pensioners. Starmer announced another reset of his government in an attempt to significantly bolster the economic firepower of No 10 before the budget, leading to claims that Reeves’s position had been undermined. The prime minister rejected these suggestions, attempting to bolster Reeves’s position by telling cabinet that he and the chancellor had spoken about the changes “at length over the summer”. He believes that their relationship has been “strengthened”. The rise in the cost of government borrowing was caused in part by global factors, including President Trump’s trade war and a vote of confidence in the French government. The yields on 30-year German, French and Dutch bonds rose to their highest level since 2011. However, British borrowing costs have been particularly hard hit as a result of persistent inflation and reduced demand from final-salary pension schemes. Economists raised concerns about the prospect of further tax rises.” – The Times

• Exclusive: Budget Set To Take Place On November 26 – HuffPost
• Fresh headache for Reeves as she faces market panic months before Budget as borrowing costs hit new high – The Sun
• Britain on the brink? Reeves faces threat of financial crisis as markets send UK borrowing costs rocketing AGAIN – with fears Budget cannot wait until November 26 and tax hikes will only crush growth – Daily Mail
• Starmer to push for welfare cuts after No 10 reset – Daily Telegraph

Comment:

• Starmer’s undermining of Reeves makes an IMF crisis more likely – John Redwood, Daily Telegraph
• Bond markets show the world is flirting with disaster – Kallum Pickering, Daily Telegraph

> Today: John Redwood: The Chancellor must stop the bank losses first, before wrangling with her other problems

> Yesterday: Harrison Layden-Fritz: Our 21st century Magna Carta – the great Labour property raid

Jenrick raises concerns over Labour considering digital ID cards

“All British citizens could be issued with digital ID cards under plans being considered by Sir Keir Starmer to tackle illegal immigration. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said that ID cards could combat illegal migrants working in the black economy, amid a public backlash over the surge in Channel migrants and asylum hotels, as well as benefit fraud. The last Labour government tried to introduce ID cards, with the first issued in 2009, but the scheme was scrapped by the incoming Conservative-led coalition on the basis that it was an “erosion of civil liberties”. Asked about the possibility of a compulsory card, Sir Keir’s spokesman said: “We’re willing to look at what works when it comes to tackling illegal migration.” Official sources confirmed that the Cabinet on Tuesday discussed cracking down on “pull factors” and illegal working, “including exploring options around digital ID”. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, indicated the Tories would oppose national ID cards, claiming they would not “stop the boats”. “Most employers who are employing individuals illegally are doing so knowingly. They are doing so dishonestly,” he said. “Merely asking those employers to check ID cards rather than the current checks that they are already obliged to do is not going to make a blind bit of difference.”” – Daily Telegraph

• Labour’s big idea is ID cards for ALL: Blair wanted them years ago and now – as Macron demands action – Starmer takes interest – Daily Mail
• Mandatory digital IDs considered to crack down on illegal immigration – The Times
• Yvette Cooper risks ‘Windrush-type’ scandal by rushing asylum response, says Amber Rudd – The Guardian

Comment:

• The Home Secretary’s asylum intervention is welcome, but it won’t stop the boats – Karl Williams, Daily Telegraph

> Yesterday: Holly Whitbread: In the case of Epping Forest v the Home Office we will keep fighting to close the Bell Hotel

News in brief:

• Only the Conservatives can unleash our tech talent – Alan Mak, CapX
• It’s impossible to take the Greens seriously – Madeline Grant, The Spectator
• Britain has unrealistic asylum obligations – Luca Watson, The Critic
• Osaka protests are just the start of Japan’s immigration backlash – Philip Patrick, Unherd