Nigel Farage has faced cross-party criticism after he declined to denounce US President Donald Trump’s controversial claim linking the use of paracetamol to autism in babies.
Earlier this week, President Trump suggested there has been a meteoric rise in autism cases and implied that Tylenol (known as paracetamol in the UK) could be a potential cause. He advised that pregnant women should avoid taking these painkillers, recommending they “tough it out” instead.
When interviewed by Nick Ferrari on LBC, Farage was asked whether he agreed with Trump’s assertion. He responded: “You know, we were told thalidomide was a very safe drug and it wasn’t. Who knows, Nick? I don’t know, you don’t know. He has a particular thing about autism, I think, because there’s been some in his family, he feels it very personally.”
Farage further added, “I wouldn’t, when it comes to science, I don’t side with anybody. I don’t side with anybody because science is never settled, and we should remember that.”
### Cross-Party Backlash
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch strongly condemned Farage’s comments, calling them “irresponsible conspiracy-theory nonsense.” In a post on X, Badenoch warned that such claims would “create fear and anxiety among parents” and cause “pregnant women to suffer unnecessary pain by believing it.” She also criticized Reform UK, led by Farage, describing it as “not a serious party of government.”
Meanwhile, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting labeled Farage a “snake oil salesman” on social media, adding, “It’s time people stopped buying” into such dangerous and irresponsible misinformation.
Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Helen Morgan said, “Nigel Farage wants to impose Trump’s dangerous anti-science agenda here in the UK. Peddling this kind of nonsense is irresponsible and wrong.” She accused Farage of seemingly preferring that pregnant women suffer pain rather than challenge his idol Donald Trump.
Pat McFadden, another Cabinet member, advised the public to “trust the NHS, trust the medical advice, and trust that a lot more than they should trust Nigel Farage.” Speaking to the PA news agency, he emphasized, “People should follow the medical advice and not any politician trying to grab headlines or whatever he was doing.”
Plaid Cymru’s Llinos Medi also weighed in, referring to Farage’s remarks as “shameful” and warning that they would add unnecessary stress to pregnant women already under significant pressure. The Ynys Môn MP called for a rejection of “dangerous fact-free politics” in Wales.
### Official Medical Advice
Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), reaffirmed that paracetamol remains the recommended pain relief option for pregnant women when used as directed.
She advised: “Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS guidance and speak to their healthcare professional if they have questions about any medication during pregnancy. Untreated pain and fever can pose risks to the unborn baby, so it is important to manage these symptoms with the recommended treatment. Our advice on medicines in pregnancy is based on rigorous assessment of the best available scientific evidence.”
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https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/farage-faces-cross-party-criticism-for-not-denouncing-paracetamol-autism-link-1810769.html
