Politics LIVE: Nigel Farage vows - 'I'd shoot down Russian jets as PM' in broadside against 'bad dude' Vladimir Putin

Nigel Farage has revealed he would shoot down Russian drones if he were elected Prime Minister in what marks the Reform UK leader's strongest remarks on Russia.

The comments come after he came under cross-party fire, accusing him of being soft on Russian President Vladimir Putin who he admitted was a "very bad dude".

"I was really hoping that Trump would bring Putin to heel," Mr Farage told Bloomberg.

"That some kind of compromise could be struck, as it's just been recently struck with Gaza and Israel. Clearly, that is not going to happen."

The Reform leader also said Britain would use frozen Russian assets to help aid Ukraine, saying "if they're there through illegal means, they should be".

When asked what he would do about Russian jets travelling into Nato territory, Mr Farage said: "Gotta shoot them down".

However, Mr Farage fell short of committing to putting British troops on the ground in Ukraine if there was a ceasefire, adding: "I'd be very cautious about doing that" and instead he could throw his support behind a putting a "UN force", comparing the approach to Korea.

The Reform leader said he expects "the Americans beginning to deliver Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv".

"I think Trump feels that Putin has made a fool of him. Clearly, Putin is not a rational man," Mr Farage said.

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Your Party celebrates Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being barred from Aston Villa match

Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana's Your Party has congratulated Ayoub Khan MP "successfully" campaigning for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from being barred from their team's away match to Aston Villa.

"Well done to Ayoub and all those who successfully campaigned for Maccabi Tel Aviv fans to be barred from attending the match at Aston Villa," the party posted on X.

"No business as usual with a genocidal state.

"Boycott, divest, sanction!"

Home Secretary now urged to SACK West Midlands Police chief for 'failing to protect Jews'

Shabana Mahmood has been urged to sack West Midlands Police's Chief Constable for "failing to guarantee the safety of Jews" in Birmingham.

It emerged on Thursday that fans of Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv would be barred from their fixture against Aston Villa on November 6.

A mass outcry then followed, with Sir Keir Starmer, Israel's Foreign Minister, and the leaders of Reform UK, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats all condemning the move.

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