An Afghan national has been found guilty of threatening to kill Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s populist Reform UK party, in a TikTok video that the politician described as “chilling.”
Fayaz Khan, 26, was convicted on Friday by a jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court of making a threat to kill, after posting the menacing video in October 2024. Prosecutors said Khan, who has an AK-47 tattooed on his face, uploaded the clip in response to one of Farage’s videos discussing immigration.
In the video, Khan appeared to simulate shooting gestures while saying “pop, pop, pop” and telling Farage, “Englishman Nigel, don’t talk shit about me,” before headbutting the camera.
Farage, who testified earlier this week, told the court he was “genuinely worried” after seeing the video. “Abuse is part of public life,” he said, “but that’s not something I’m used to seeing. Given his proximity to guns and love of guns, I was genuinely, genuinely worried.”
The court heard that Farage’s original YouTube video had featured clips from Khan’s social media posts documenting his journey from Sweden to Britain, as part of commentary on “young males of fighting age coming into our country.”
During cross-examination, Khan’s lawyer, Charles Royle, suggested that the incident fit Farage’s political narrative, but Farage rejected the claim, replying: “It doesn’t suit my narrative — it’s a fact.”
Khan, who pleaded not guilty, told police that the video was not meant as a real threat and that he was merely “playing a character” online. However, the jury was unconvinced and returned a guilty verdict by a 10-2 majority.
He will be sentenced next week for the threat to kill and for entering Britain illegally, a charge he has already admitted.
Farage’s Reform UK party currently leads British opinion polls, with the politician’s outspoken stance on immigration and national security continuing to attract both strong support and fierce criticism.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
