The latest in an increasingly long line of hopeless and revealing excuses that Farage has made for overt expressions of racism by Reform MPs and councillors.

Calling an unpleasant truth a “smear” doesn’t make it any less true.

So if you’re Venezuelan and in a boat you’re a legitimate target?

Just “phrased badly”, perhaps, which is what Farage said about Pochin being “driven mad” by black faces in adverts. The cracks are there for all to see.

Is there any evidence of him ever having given a genuine apology to anyone about anything?

We’re copying it simply because our government mistakenly feels the need to look tough.

That’s no way to treat a chap on his birthday! Have a good one - it can only get better.

Been thinking about the Ten Commandments and about Donald Trump. Hmmm.