The interview, which lasted for more than seven minutes, gave Mr Farage ample opportunity to set out his views on his own treatment and the wider topic of banking reform.  Mr Robinson’s final question, however, was about whether Mr Farage was to return to politics, and he said “I know you’ve run seven times [ie for Parliament] and lost seven times, but are you…”, at which point Mr Farage interrupted to say “I’m really not going to have this, I’m sick to death of your condescending tone”.  As there was continuing speculation that Mr Farage might take the current controversy as an opportunity to return to national politics, the ECU saw nothing inappropriate in putting that possibility to him, and nothing in the terms in which it was put which was out of keeping what a seasoned politician might expect in a Today interview with someone who had discussed such matters with him on many previous occasions.  Notwithstanding Mr Farage’s apparent exasperation, the ECU did not agree that Mr Robinson’s attitude could fairly be described as condescending, unprofessional or indicative of bias, and his question elicited confirmation from Mr Farage that he was not about to stand for Parliament again.

Not upheld